1 Corinthians 7: 1 - 16
Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. 7 For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. 8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; 9 but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 10 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. 12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace. 16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?
The Bible is such an amazing book that it covers a wide range of areas that concern us as ladies. Sexual immorality is a real issue that Satan uses a lot to tempt all, both men and women, So, our verses of scripture today show us that God has made marriage available to us as means of combatting sexual immorality. So, if you are married the Bible says you and I should show due affection to our husbands. We must not deprive them of sexual intimacy. This is a gift that God has given in marriage to be used to satisfy each other. Ladies if you married and there is an issue in this area, seek help. There is nothing to be ashamed of. I have been there before and I sought help. Get medical and pastoral help. Pray till there is a breakthrough with your sexual intimacy. Don’t allow the enemy to use your silence, shame or pride to destroy your marriage because of lack of sexual intimacy.
For those who like Paul have the gift of staying single or will rather be unmarried. The Lord is with you, He is your strength and your exceeding great reward. He will never leave you nor forsake. He will supply all your needs as you seek first His Kingdom. Keep loving Him with all your might and strength, and love people. Serve God and serve others.
To the unmarried and widows, the scriptures say if you cannot be like Paul and live a single life fully devoted to God, it is better to marry than to burn with sexual lust and fall into the error of sex outside of marriage. So, if you are a single unmarried person and you want to marry, it is a good thing. I pray for you today that God will lead you to that God fearing and God loving man that He has for you. May the Lord order your steps and as Rebekah met Isaac and Ruth met Boaz, may you meet your husband to be in Jesus’ name. A word of caution. Don’t be hasty, or be pressured into getting married in a rush. Be calm, prayerful and full of faith. Not every Christian man you meet is meant for you. God has that person He has prepared for you that you will fulfil destiny with. So, go to God and ask Him to lead you to that person. Even when you think you have met that person, be accountable to others (godly people) by sharing it and asking them to pray with you. God will speak and bring confirmation.
Our scripture then goes back again to those who are married and what does Paul say to us. He points out that based on God’s command, a woman shouldn’t leave her husband or divorce her husband. If per chance exceptionally she separates from her husband, she is to remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. Yes, in today’s society, this seems a tough order but they are God’s word to us. Always do everything to do God’s will and obey His Word.
Then finally, our verses talk to women who are married to unsaved men. If your husband is willing to live with you, stay with Him. Yes, it will be hard but stay and look to the throne from of God, for mercy and grace to help in your time of need. If he packs his back and goes, and leaves you, you can’t stop him. Don’t beat yourself up. Another word of caution here. Don’t be the one who sends him packing with a lifestyle that does not reflect the life of Christ or the love of God. Please pray for Him. Pray for His salvation. Pray for your marriage.
I pray that the Lord will help us all in these issues. They might seem foolish to the world but they matter to our loving Father, because, He loves us and wants the best for us. That is why He has addressed them in His Word.
Grace to you sister….