Recently, I challenged my church to take the 30-Day Sex Challenge.
OK, I’m not that “cool”. I stole the idea from another pastor who tried this years ago at his church in FL. See the article
In a nutshell, the challenge is: If you’re married, work on PLEASING YOUR SPOUSE physically and emotionally over the next 30 days. If you’re single, COMMIT to ABSTINENCE.
The reasons? 1) Singles are deceived. 2) Marriages are falling victim to all kinds of temptations and bombardments.
First, singles believe that “playing the field” or living together before you’re married is the answer to a more fulfilling sex life. Actually, it isn’t. See article This unbiased sociological study says that cohabiters are MORE LIKELY to never marry, to get d ivorced (if they get married), to have extramarital affairs, and be less satisfied sexually. No thanks. I love this article because it doesn’t come from a Christian source, yet it upholds the values outlined in the Bible for saving sex for marriage. It contradicts the lie that most singles pursue on a regular basis.
Second, marriages are losing battles on several fronts. Well-meaning married couples aren’t being intentional about PLEASING each other anymore. They are stressed and overwhelmed. Their energy is sapped. Some haven’t been intimate in months. Some have lost their romance all together. There HAS to be a SOLUTION. There has to be something BETTER THAN THIS.
The rescue? SEX. Sex was created by God for the mutual enjoyment of a couple in the wondrous bond of marriage. It was the literal ACT that defined marriage in the Bible. It was the one thing that differentiated a marriage relationship from others. What if a husband and wife had such a strong bond relationally, emotionally and physically, that they could easily repel any temptation? What if all their needs were met by their SPOUSE? What if they were so SATISFIED with each other that they didn’t need to seek fulfillment elsewhere. That’s why the challenge is important!
Proverbs 5:18-20 (MSG) 18 …Enjoy the wife you married as a young man! 19 Lovely as an angel, beautiful as a rose— don’t ever quit taking delight in her body. Never take her love for granted! 20 Why would you trade enduring intimacies for cheap thrills with a [prostitute]? for dalliance with a promiscuous stranger?
Isn’t the Bible great? Enjoying your spouse is ENCOURAGED in the BIBLE! This weekend, we honored some couples who had been married the longest. We had two couples in our church who’d been married over 50 years! The secret to their success? They have never stopped dating each other. They enjoy each moment with each other and they see each day as a new adventure.
Ecclesiastes 9:9 (MSG) 9 Relish life with the spouse you love each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God’s gift. It’s all you get in exchange for the hard work of staying alive. Make the most of each one!
Will YOU take the 30-day Sex challenge?
Dennis Bloodworth 