THE MAIN THEME: WHO DO I GO WITH?

TITLE: SEX AND YOUR SOUL

 The bible verse for today’s devotional is: 1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.

Devotional:

As teenagers, it is plausible that you have heard a lot of things about sex, some good advice and some not so good ideas, depending on who you heard it from.

So, for today, we will simply share two stories in the bible and allow you think through your reflective questions:

In the book of Genesis chapter 25, verse 29 to 34, there is a story about how Esau (the older son of Isaac) sold his birthright to his younger brother, Jacob. At the time he did it he was responding to a physiological need (hunger) which he could easily have met in some other way. He was the first son of a very rich man, it could have been easy to demand the food from Jacob or ask the other servants in the house to cook something for him, but at that moment, Esau forgot who he was and made a wrong choice. This choice led to him losing out on his father’s blessings- that should have come naturally to the first born.

In another story, in the book of 2 Samuel 13:1-15 a young virgin, Tamar, was raped by her half-brother, Amnon. Both Tamar and Amnon were children of King David and were royals. At the advice of his friend, Amnon pretended to be sick and asked that Princess Tamar be sent to take care of him and while she was preparing a meal for him, he raped her and when he was done, the bible said ‘he hated her more than he loved her’.

From these two lessons, it is clear that we need to constantly remember who we are - we are children of God and our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Anything we do must be with this in mind - our bodies are not ours to destroy for fleeting emotions or physiological pangs. Whatever attractions are being presented to us, there is always another way to get it.

When we wrong God by defiling our bodies through sex, the first reaction (as it was with Amnon) would be a deep sense of loss and guilt, which is what people often try to numb with more sex, drinks, drugs or whatever else. No one can escape it. While God forgives, the consequence of our mistakes often remains with us. Isn’t it easier to stick with God’s plan for us? His perfect plan is sex within marriage. There is no other way. 

 Here are a few reflective questions: 

•  Knowing that it is normal to be naturally attracted to the opposite sex from a certain age, what boundaries can I put in place to ensure I am not in a vulnerable place which can lead me to trouble?
•  I know close friends (and whatever I listen to or read) have an influence over what I believe and what I choose to do; are my friends (and the resources I am exposing myself to) helping me adhere to or disregard God’s plan for me concerning sex? 

Let Us Pray:

Dear God, I thank you for your plans for me are perfect and are always for my own good. I ask for your help to keep myself and honour you with my body, mind and spirit at all times in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Please say these words of affirmation after me. Say them, mean them, own them and live them:

• I am created in God’s image, and my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
•  I will honour God with my body, mind and heart, and keep them pure for His purposes.
• God’s plan for my life is worth waiting for, and I will guard my heart and choices.

Have a beautiful day, great ones. Take good care of yourselves. I’ll see you tomorrow.