1 Corinthians 7:2-5
2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
In these verses Paul encourages married couples to have sex, to not withhold themselves sexually from their spouse. This reflects the truth that God is not against sex; sex is actually a good gift from God, when used in its proper context. The restrictions on sexual immorality are not because God doesn't like sex, but because He knows what is best for us, that immorality causes us to miss out on the greater good of marital intimacy. There is another truth here, that our bodies belong not just to God (see I Corinthians 6:19-20), but also to our spouse. In verse 4 it says, "the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does." That is what is meant by the marriage covenant of "becoming one flesh". If this is true, then to commit adultery we would need permission from both God and our spouse before using our body in that manner. Don't hold your breath waiting for that permission....
God, thank you for the gift of sex, and help me to serve my wife sexually.
2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
In these verses Paul encourages married couples to have sex, to not withhold themselves sexually from their spouse. This reflects the truth that God is not against sex; sex is actually a good gift from God, when used in its proper context. The restrictions on sexual immorality are not because God doesn't like sex, but because He knows what is best for us, that immorality causes us to miss out on the greater good of marital intimacy. There is another truth here, that our bodies belong not just to God (see I Corinthians 6:19-20), but also to our spouse. In verse 4 it says, "the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does." That is what is meant by the marriage covenant of "becoming one flesh". If this is true, then to commit adultery we would need permission from both God and our spouse before using our body in that manner. Don't hold your breath waiting for that permission....
God, thank you for the gift of sex, and help me to serve my wife sexually.