The OneSample

Prayer: Father, thank You for providing direction and wisdom in how to best navigate life. I want to trust Your plans, purposes, and perspective above my own. Help me rest in Your promises even when I’m tempted to make my own way.

Love hurts. The incredible highs of a healthy romantic relationship are evenly matched against the unbelievable lows caused by breakups, unmet expectations, and unreturned affection. The thrill of a first kiss can be overshadowed by the pain of a first fight. The search for “the one” holds more potential for heartbreak and life-long scars than most other journeys in life.

This is why God instructs His people to take romance seriously. One of the practical actions that flow out of this attitude is reserving sexual intimacy for the covenant of marriage established by God, for one man and one woman to enjoy over a lifetime. This is an action that can often conflict with our natural desires, which itself serves as a reminder that our desires are not always for what is truly best. The truth is, we’re not wrestling with the question of “where does sex belong?” but of “who knows best?”

God wants our best, and He created sex as a gift, but when we use it outside of His design, we end up hurting ourselves and others. In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul is incredibly clear that our sexual decisions always have consequences for other people, whether they are directly involved or not. We will still make mistakes, so thankfully, our God does not ask for perfection and provide condemnation. Instead, He asks for faith and provides forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

Look in the Word:

• What is the meaning of “holy” used in this passage?  How does it apply to our lives beyond just our sexuality?
• Why does Paul bring up the concept of authority at the end of this passage?

What’s Next? 

• Regardless of your past, present, or future sexual attitude or actions, take some time to ask God how you can better pursue holiness and honor for your own good & His glory.