Biblical Answer

The Biblical View of Sex in Marriage

The Foundation of the Biblical Sex Ethic

The Bible confines sexual activity exclusively to married couples. This foundational principle is rooted in the biblical sex ethic, which is centered on the value of keeping sex unique to one special relationship in marriage. The biblical approach to sex is selfless, where pleasure is never sought for its own sake, and sexual stimulation is restricted to a unique relationship in marriage. This approach may seem counterintuitive, as many people believe that pursuing sex on a self-pleasing basis will increase their chances of truly enjoying sex. However, the biblical view assures that sex, when managed on a God-pleasing basis, adds a depth and quality to sexual pleasure that far exceeds anything that can be reached by centering on oneself.

The Importance of Intimacy in Marriage

The Bible teaches that intimacy in marriage is more than a matter of personal consent and convenience. God desires for married couples to enjoy sex and to do so frequently. This is not because God is concerned with our personal preferences, but because He wants to deepen intimacy and secure marriage on the basis of self-sacrificial love and commitment. When couples put God first, even in the area of sex, they discover that He adds a depth and quality to sexual pleasure that far exceeds anything they can achieve by centering on themselves. This is not to say that God is opposed to pleasure, but rather that He wants us to experience pleasure in a way that is consistent with His design for sex and marriage.

The Connection Between Following God's Rules and Sexual Satisfaction

Studies have shown a remarkable connection between satisfying sex and following God's rules for sex and marriage. In fact, several surveys have discovered an especially strong link between sexual satisfaction and following God's standards for sex and marriage. This is not surprising, given that God desires for us to experience pleasure in a way that is consistent with His design for sex and marriage. When we follow God's rules, we are not only pleasing Him, but we are also experiencing the depth and quality of sexual pleasure that He intends for us. This is a key aspect of the biblical view of sex in marriage, and one that is worth considering as we seek to understand God's desires for our sexual relationships.