THE CHRISTIAN YOUTH AND SEXUALITY

Youth And Sexuality — God created man and woman (Genesis 2:4-3:24; 5:2, Mark 10:6-9). David notes that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). We are made of body, soul and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23).  With God’s breath, the soul is quickened and made alive (Genesis 2:7).

God made the body with many parts (1 Corinthians 12). The soul is the seat of our emotions, memory, reason, affection (Matthew 26:36-46; 1 Peter 2:11). The soul actively participates in worship (Psalm 103:1; Luke 1:46,47). There is a spirit in man with which we get in contact with God (Romans 1:9; 8:16; Job 32:8).

Each part has a specific role(s) to play. One of such organs is the sexual organs. The design (anatomy) of male and female organs are not the same. They work differently. The man must give and the woman must take, keep and multiply. God designed sex for pleasure, togetherness and procreation (Gen. 2:23-25).

Therefore, sex as an intimate act must been seen as not just a physical act but involves the souls and spirit. There are good spirits as well as bad ones (1 Thess. 5:21). But our bodies are to be the sacrifice and the temple (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 9:13; 2 Cor. 6:16). God requires not just a momentary offering but a continuous holy living acceptable to him. We cannot please God without consecration (Exodus 19:10; Joshua 3:5). 

THE CHALLENGES OF OUR TIME

Paul warns the Colossian church of not succumbing to baseless philosophies of this world (Colossians 2:8). One of such philosophies is relativism. As such, humanity tries to redefine divine things by their own standards, and escape with it. For example, many countries have redefined marriage. The LGBTQ+ movement grows by the day.

If there is no God (atheism), or if that Divine Being has nothing to do with us (Deism), then we become free moral agent, able to make our own choices without recourse to judgement. The advent of social media is putting more pressure on the youth into conformity that really contradict scripture. In this cosmetic world people are living in false claims and sometimes, we fall to that.

Materialism and lasciviousness – pornography, alcoholism, drugs, sex, and fame are served on every digital space. The word lasciviousness could mean Unbridled lust, sensuality; excess; wantonness; shamelessness, filthy words, reveling, carousing, unchaste movement of the body, entice in the lust of the flesh… (Galatians 5:17-19, 2 Corinthians 12:21, Ephesians 4:19, Romans 13:13, 1 Peter 4:3, 2 Peter 2:2, 7, 18; Jude 1:4).

We seldom think of eternity. It is this world and that is all. Shamefully, worldly celebrities are now the role models for some young Christians. How often do we think of becoming like Jesus?

SOME FACTS TO KNOW ABOUT SEX

1. Sex is reserved for the married man and woman (1 Cor. 7:2; Heb. 13:4). In sex, they become one, bodily (1 Cor. 6:16-19). 

2. Sex and love are not synonymous. Sex outside of marriage is lust! It is fornication or adultery.

3. Adultery, Same sex among others is an abomination before God (Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 20:13).

4. Incest is an abomination (Lev. 18:6-10; 20:12-14; Deut. 27:20)

DAILY LIVING TIPS FOR YOUNG CHRISTIANS

1. Flee sexual immorality. It affects your own body (1 Thess. 4:3-5; 1 Corinthians 6:18; Prov. 6:32). 

2. Sin does not satisfy. You would yearn for more.

3. Draw strong lines between things that are forbidden, tolerable, desirable and essential. 

4. Avoid the second look. It’s usually lustful (Job 31:1)

5. Think on things above. Know there is eternity (Col. 3:1-4; Philippians 4:8).

6. Engage in regular spiritual exercises – fasting, prayer and meditation (1 Timothy 4:8; Psalm 119).

7. Put on the whole armor of God – truth, righteousness, word of God, faith, hope, and prayer (Ephesians 6:10-17).

8. Practice and preach modesty all the time (1 Timothy 2:9).

9. Practice godliness with contentment (1 Timothy 6:6). 

10. Continuance of self-sacrifice and renewal of mind (Romans 12:1-2).

11. Daily covenant of self-control (Job 31:1; Daniel 1:8; Titus 2:11-12).

12. Remember that sin does not satisfy. Just as the eye cannot have enough of sight (Ecclesiastes 1:8), so the body cannot have enough of gratification. Postpone gratification again and again. The things we see are fleeting (1 John 2:15-17).

13. Do not succumb to empty, deceptive philosophies and forces of this world (Col. 2:8)

14. Create godly contexts that supports your spiritual growth (1 Corinthians 15:33; Proverbs 13:20; 27:17).

CONCLUSION 

Those who engage in sexual sins will be destroyed in hell fire (Rev. 22:15, Hebrews 13:4, Gal. 5:19). The people of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed with fire (Romans 1:22-29). Know that as Christians, your body is not meant for sexual immorality but for God (1 Cor. 6:13). It is shameful and must not be named among us (Ephesians 5:3).