Sex, sex, sex

The grace of God that brings salvation…teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives (Titus 2:11-12).

Americans are obsessed with sex. Many magazine covers feature sexy images; a lot of popular music contains sexual lyrics; sex is a major theme in much of our television and movie entertainment. Every day, we are bombarded by sexual imagery--and we have only ourselves to blame. Sex sells. As long as we respond to sexual themes with our attention and our money, businesses will continue to use human sexuality to boost their profits.

But constantly dwelling on the fulfillment of sexual desire leads to some very real problems. One is the issue of objectification. God designed the sex act to be an expression of love between two people, each giving pleasure to the other. But more and more, sex has become something selfish. Many people treat their partner as little more than an object, a human toy that exists only for the purpose of making them feel good. When sex with their partner loses its excitement, they are soon looking to hook up with someone else. Such a mindset strips all love from the act of lovemaking.

Another problem is the negative impact on marriage. God intended sexual activity to be reserved for the mutual joy of marital partners; sexual pleasure was a glue that held husbands and wives together. But in recent decades, sex has become an activity that a person often shares with many partners. You’ve probably had the experience of realizing, after you have sealed an envelope, that you forgot to put something like a picture in with the letter; but after you reopened the envelope, you found that the adhesive on the flap had now lost much of its strength. The same principle applies to having multiple sex partners—each time that the emotional bond formed by sex is torn apart, sex loses more its strength to hold two people together. In an era of sexual freedom, it’s no wonder that divorce rates are at an all-time high.

Having your mind dominated by sexual desire is not healthy for relationships; it results in broken hearts, loneliness, and a reduced ability to trust in others. Thankfully, there is another way to live. St. Paul writes: Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24). Spend time with Jesus, and He will teach you the full extent of what love can really be.