No Sex Allowed?
by Brandon Jubar
Is sex a bad thing or a good thing? And what is that whole “adultery"
thing about? As long as you're not sleeping with a married person, are
you OK? What exactly does the Bible say about sex and sexuality anyway?
What does it all mean?
One way to understand the commandment against committing adultery
is to look at it as a call for us to create healthy relationships.
Specifically, if you are called to marriage, you are called to find that
special person with whom you'll have kids, raise a family and share the
rest of your life. Then, in the context of marriage, sex is a very good
thing.
“You shall not commit adultery.”
(Exod 20:14)
First of all, it's wrong to assume that this commandment is only referring
to cheating on a spouse, having sexual relations with a married person
or something along those lines. The key is that we are commanded to refrain
from sex outside the sacramental vows of marriage.
"God
created man in His own image ... male and female He created them."
(Gen 1:27)
Secondly, it's wrong to assume that the fact that someone is married makes
everything OK. It's important to remember that God made us in His image,
and He made us male and female. Marriage is more than just a
legal or civil agreement. A sacrament occurs -- the grace of God, through
the Holy Spirit, is physically present -- when a baptized man and woman
marry one another in the presence of a priest or deacon, representing
the Church. Anything else means that sex between the two people is outside
the sacramental vows of marriage.
"This is my commandment: love one another
as I love you." (John 15:12)
Finally, it's wrong to assume that a strong relationship can be based
upon sex. The fact is that Jesus gave us directions on how to make it
work. The top priority must be to love the person with whom you're in
relationship. You must genuinely want to put his or her needs ahead of
your own. And if you choose to marry that person, then you need to make
that commitment for the rest of your life.
The Bible and the Catholic Church teach that sex is a very good thing.
However, they also teach us that God created us and our sexuality for
a purpose, apart from which we will not find happiness.
Copyright © 2004 by Brandon Jubar
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