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Understanding Biblical Intimacy in Marriage (1 Corinthians 7:1-6)
Do you want to understand biblical intimacy in marriage? What does the bible say about withholding intimacy in 1 Corinthians 7:1-6? Read or listen to this material from Your Marriage God’s Way for answers.
Table of ContentsThe Bible says God blesses Intimacy in MarriageThe Bible Says Intimacy in Marriage Is for Enjoyment as Much as for ProcreationWhat About Oral Physical Intimacy?What About Anal Physical Intimacy?The Bible Says Intimacy in Marriage Is CommandedThe Bible Says Your Body Belongs to Your SpouseShould You Ever Abstain?The Danger of Depriving Your Spouse
How do we determine the critical topics in Scripture? I frequently tell my congregation that God does not use highlighting, italics, boldface, or underlining for emphasis. Instead, He uses repetition when He wants to make sure we don’t miss something.
Physical intimacy is discussed several times in the Old and New Testaments. One book, Song of Solomon, is primarily dedicated to the topic. When God’s Word addresses a subject repeatedly because it is crucial, we must make it meaningful by learning what Scripture says about it. If we don’t do this, we are more likely for our understanding of that subject to be shaped by the world. When it comes to physical intimacy, we want to know what the Bible teaches, for secular society has a thoroughly corrupt view of it. So, let’s take a closer look at God’s intended design for intimacy in marriage, starting with three fundamental truths.
The Bible says God blesses Intimacy in Marriage
Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” The word “bed” is a euphemism for physical intimacy, and within marriage, God calls this activity “undefiled,” which means “pure.” The same New Testament Greek word, amiantos, is used earlier in Hebrews 7:26 to describe Jesus, our High Priest, as “holy, harmless, undefiled.” God wants us to know there is absolutely nothing sinful or compromising about physical intimacy between a husband and wife.
When it comes to wrong thoughts about physical intimacy, we typically think of the devil tempting people to disobey the second half of Hebrews 13:4 and engage in physical intimacy outside of marriage. But what about when he tempts people to disobey the first half of the verse? He leads them to believe physical intimacy is defiled or impure.
I once counseled a man in his fifties who was addicted to pornography. I mention his age only because pornography is more typically considered a struggle for young, single men. But it can enslave men—and women—of any age, in any season of life. Now, upfront, this man’s actions were sinful; there was no way to minimize the wickedness of what he was doing. That said, after months of counseling, it became apparent that one reason for his addiction was a wrong view of intimacy. His mother told him at a young age that biblical intimacy in marriage was filthy, and he was never able to rid himself of that belief. He told me, “I look at porn because at least then I’m not involving my wife in a dirty activity.” Though I tried to convince him otherwise, he never seemed to be able to shake himself free of his mother’s incorrect teaching.
In the Song of Solomon, the couple consummate their relationship in chapter 4, and we read of God’s approval in 5:1: “Eat, O friends! Drink, yes, drink deeply, O beloved ones!” This invitation is meant to encourage husbands and wives in their physical intimacy. Not only should intimacy in marriage not be considered neutral, amoral, or nonspiritual, but it should be thought of as good, spiritual, and blessed by God.
The Bible Says Intimacy in Marriage Is for Enjoyment as Much as for Procreation
God’s purpose for intimacy goes far beyond simply having children. Yes, God created physical intimacy so couples can fulfill His command in Genesis 1:28 to “be fruitful and multiply,” but He also gave biblical intimacy in marriage as a gift for marita...
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Do you want to understand biblical intimacy in marriage? What does the bible say about withholding intimacy in 1 Corinthians 7:1-6? Read or listen to this material from Your Marriage God’s Way for answers.
Table of ContentsThe Bible says God blesses Intimacy in MarriageThe Bible Says Intimacy in Marriage Is for Enjoyment as Much as for ProcreationWhat About Oral Physical Intimacy?What About Anal Physical Intimacy?The Bible Says Intimacy in Marriage Is CommandedThe Bible Says Your Body Belongs to Your SpouseShould You Ever Abstain?The Danger of Depriving Your Spouse
How do we determine the critical topics in Scripture? I frequently tell my congregation that God does not use highlighting, italics, boldface, or underlining for emphasis. Instead, He uses repetition when He wants to make sure we don’t miss something.
Physical intimacy is discussed several times in the Old and New Testaments. One book, Song of Solomon, is primarily dedicated to the topic. When God’s Word addresses a subject repeatedly because it is crucial, we must make it meaningful by learning what Scripture says about it. If we don’t do this, we are more likely for our understanding of that subject to be shaped by the world. When it comes to physical intimacy, we want to know what the Bible teaches, for secular society has a thoroughly corrupt view of it. So, let’s take a closer look at God’s intended design for intimacy in marriage, starting with three fundamental truths.
The Bible says God blesses Intimacy in Marriage
Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” The word “bed” is a euphemism for physical intimacy, and within marriage, God calls this activity “undefiled,” which means “pure.” The same New Testament Greek word, amiantos, is used earlier in Hebrews 7:26 to describe Jesus, our High Priest, as “holy, harmless, undefiled.” God wants us to know there is absolutely nothing sinful or compromising about physical intimacy between a husband and wife.
When it comes to wrong thoughts about physical intimacy, we typically think of the devil tempting people to disobey the second half of Hebrews 13:4 and engage in physical intimacy outside of marriage. But what about when he tempts people to disobey the first half of the verse? He leads them to believe physical intimacy is defiled or impure.
I once counseled a man in his fifties who was addicted to pornography. I mention his age only because pornography is more typically considered a struggle for young, single men. But it can enslave men—and women—of any age, in any season of life. Now, upfront, this man’s actions were sinful; there was no way to minimize the wickedness of what he was doing. That said, after months of counseling, it became apparent that one reason for his addiction was a wrong view of intimacy. His mother told him at a young age that biblical intimacy in marriage was filthy, and he was never able to rid himself of that belief. He told me, “I look at porn because at least then I’m not involving my wife in a dirty activity.” Though I tried to convince him otherwise, he never seemed to be able to shake himself free of his mother’s incorrect teaching.
In the Song of Solomon, the couple consummate their relationship in chapter 4, and we read of God’s approval in 5:1: “Eat, O friends! Drink, yes, drink deeply, O beloved ones!” This invitation is meant to encourage husbands and wives in their physical intimacy. Not only should intimacy in marriage not be considered neutral, amoral, or nonspiritual, but it should be thought of as good, spiritual, and blessed by God.
The Bible Says Intimacy in Marriage Is for Enjoyment as Much as for Procreation
God’s purpose for intimacy goes far beyond simply having children. Yes, God created physical intimacy so couples can fulfill His command in Genesis 1:28 to “be fruitful and multiply,” but He also gave biblical intimacy in marriage as a gift for marita...