What is a biblical view of sexuality?

Answer

Human sexuality, encompassing all its physical, emotional, and spiritual complexities, was a creation of God. He bestowed sexuality upon His human beings as a present with dual purposes: to propagate the human race and to establish a close connection between husband and wife. The proper utilization of sexuality enables us to comprehend intimacy with God on a deeper level; whereas the misuse of it damages intimacy with God and replaces it with sexuality. To grasp the biblical perspective on sexuality, we will explore its diverse aspects one by one.

The initial reference to sexuality in the Bible occurs in the Garden of Eden. God instructed Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply, filling the earth” (Genesis 1:27-28), a directive that implies the need for sexual relations. Shortly thereafter, we learn that Adam “knew his wife Eve and she conceived” «And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. », (Genesis 4:1). The use of the term “knew” provides a more profound interpretation of the concept than modern phrases like “had sexual relations with.” It conveys more than just a physical act. When Adam “knew” his wife, the initial couple was engaging in sexuality as God had intended. Sexual intimacy was meant to be a unifying experience they shared that was unlike any other bond. It was uniquely crafted by their Creator to be the most intimate connection two individuals could have. In the context of a marital covenant, sexual intimacy serves as a unifying factor that brings the couple together as “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24;Matthew 19:6). They explore and share with each other in ways exclusive to them, fostering a sacred and exclusive bond.

Whatever God creates, Satan perverts. It did not take long for fallen humanity to distort and destroy God’s sacred gift of sexuality. By the time God gave the Law to the Israelites, He had to forbid all sorts of sexual perversions that were accepted by the cultures at the time. God had already designated one man for one woman since creation but now had to clarify and forbid all manner of perversions people had invented. And as the population of the earth increased, God tightened the ethical boundaries about marrying close relatives. Leviticus 18 and 19 detail many of those forbidden practices, such as sex with a close family member, adultery, and homosexuality.

Although polygamy was tolerated during Old Testament times, partially due to the lack of options for single women and the need for men to have many sons for survival of the family line, the practice was fairly non-existent by New Testament times. In fact, Jesus reiterated God’s initial purpose for marriage when asked about divorce. In Matthew 19:3–6, Jesus said, “At the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Being the husband of only one wife was a requirement for church leadership (1 Timothy 3:2,12;Titus 1:6).

A significant percentage of the world’s problems stems directly or indirectly from our abuse of God’s gift of sexuality. Imagine the world we would have if every human being followed God’s standards for sexuality. Abortions, divorce, STDs, AIDS, pornography, sex trafficking, fatherless children, single mothers, rape, abandoned babies, and pedophilia would all cease or be greatly reduced. The ripple effects of those changes alone would completely transform every continent, every nation,

and every culture. Economies would rebound, disease would plummet, and mental hospitals would have empty beds.

God knows what He is talking about when He includes boundaries with His gifts. Electricity is an incredible discovery and if used correctly benefits all mankind. Used wrongly, however, electricity can maim or kill. So it is with the power of human sexuality. When we seek to live within the healthy boundaries God instituted for our well-being, sexuality is once again a good gift.