Society and Sexuality

It is an unavoidable reality: we live in a highly sexualized society. One cannot go very far in modern America without being bombarded by highly sexualized imagery-- online, at the grocery store, or even just walking down a street on a warm day. Our society prizes itself on its tolerance, especially in regards to sexual issues. Nevertheless, the results of this "tolerance" is manifest: a soaring divorce rate, large percentage of teenagers engaging in sexual activity, prevalence of pornography, and many other negative consequences. Furthermore, there is a culture of silence about such issues, especially among religious persons; while one's personal sexuality is understandably a private matter, the truth of God regarding matters of sexuality must be clearly proclaimed in our world.

Many would desire to return to some mythic "good old days" when people had proper views of sexuality; unfortunately, such times never existed. Human beings have either been obsessed about sex or the abstention thereof; holistic, Biblical balance has been entirely lacking. Regardless, we live in a rather promiscuous age, and there are many factors that have led us here.

Modern scientific consensus tends to rationalize mankind's behavior in terms of natural development. All matters of sexuality are analyzed and described in terms of natural animal impulses; when human sexuality is reduced to animal desire, why should we be surprised to see many humans thus acting like animals? Likewise, the modern feminist movement has "liberated" women to "take control" of their own sexuality. In reality, feminism has denigrated marriage and the need for commitment, and it is hard not to see correlations between the growing prevalence of single mothers and modern feminism. But it is entertainment, above all other factors, that leads to such promiscuous attitudes within our society. Does art imitate life, or does life imitate art? Television, movies, the Internet, and all kinds of venues promote all kinds of sexuality, and rarely is marriage honored or respected in such media. This has spread into the advertisement world, so that sex appeal sells everything from cars to chewing gum.

What has happened on account of these factors? Sex is reduced to a mere physical action, divorced of any other aspect. Men are treated as mere animals, and women experience great emotional trauma. "Liberated sexuality" has led to plenty of pain, suffering, and unfulfilled expectations.

This is not God's intent for mankind. God made male and female so that man would leave father and mother, he could cleave to his wife, and the two could become "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). Sex is only right and proper in the marriage relationship, cementing the covenant made between a man and woman before God (Matthew 19:4-6, Hebrews 13:4). Everything else-- lusting for other men or women, pornography, adultery, fornication, homosexuality-- are condemned (Matthew 5:28, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

The Word of God, therefore, stands against the world and its perverted view of sexuality. Friendship with the world is enmity toward God (James 4:4), and this is certainly true in terms of the world's view of sexuality. We must stand firm and stand up for true and proper and holy sexuality, and reject the perversions of mankind. Divorce and adultery are not acceptable. Fornication, lasciviousness, and pornography are not acceptable. Homosexuality is not acceptable. We must not compromise with the world, but stand firm and proclaim God's will for sexuality for mankind!

Ethan R. Longhenry
evangelist@norwalkchurch.org

The Bible on Sexuality

He answered, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate" (Matthew 19:4-6).

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).

The church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio

Thank you for reading the electronic version of our bulletin, Good News for Norwalk. If you live in Norwalk or happen to be traveling in the Norwalk area, we would certainly love to have you visit one of our assemblies!

Our location:

386 North Edgewood Drive (just off US 250 just north of Norwalk's city limits)
Norwalk, Ohio 44857

Our assemblies:

Sunday morning assembly: 10:30am
Sunday evening assembly: 6:00pm

Our Bible studies:

Sunday morning Bible study: 9:30am
Wednesday evening Bible study: 7:00pm

For More Information

If you have any questions or comments about anything you have read here, or desire more information, please contact our evangelist, Ethan Longhenry, at evangelist@norwalkchurch.org.

Please click here to return to the 2007 archive of Good News for Norwalk, or click here to return to the main page of Good News for Norwalk. Thanks!