What is safe sex really?

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘I am the LORD your God. According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do…’’”

Leviticus 18:1-3 (NKJV)

Today we look at God’s instructions concerning sexual relations. In our culture, there is probably no more relevant subject. It is interesting that God begins by giving His credentials: “I am the LORD your God.” The Egyptians and Canaanites had many gods, but none of them were Yahweh. It’s also interesting that God addresses them as children: “Speak to the children of Israel.” Children need a lot of instruction. They are easily led astray by their own desires. They lack discernment. All these things apply to how people deal with sex.

The gist of God’s message to them is, do not follow the ways of Egypt and Canaan. God knew how evil these nations were, and that their practices were deceitful and destructive. God’s people are never to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2). In no uncertain terms, God spells out what is permitted and prohibited sexually. If His people would take these things to heart, then they would live by them (Leviticus 18:5).

God names all the people with whom they must not “uncover their nakedness”–that is they must not remove their clothing with sexual interest. He begins with family members, prohibiting incest. Evidently, this was a problem in Egypt and Canaan. This description of sexual sin is a serious warning to our culture where “uncovering nakedness” is so prevalent in the media. We must be vigilant about the programs we watch, the websites we browse, and even the imaginations we entertain.

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.”

Job 31:1 (NLT)

God created the sex drive. It is necessary, good and beautiful in its proper context between husband and wife. But remove it from this relationship, and it becomes a fire that destroys everyone in its path.

“God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (NLT)

How can we invite the Lord to rule this most intimate and powerful area of our lives?

Photo by Alejandra Quiroz on Unsplash