From Repression to Raw Hedonism

Chapters Two and Three offered but the briefest glimpse that, in the twenty-first century, the moral pendulum has indeed swung to the opposite extreme. Men could see the terrible effects of repressive traditional morality, but rather than seeking a balanced solution, there ensued a revolution of cultural values, in which “free” sex—without moral restrictions of any kind—came to replace harsh standards of chastity.

The result has been that society is now so saturated with every conceivable form of sex that it nearly numbs the senses. We discussed how the content of network and cable television, radio, and virtually every other medium becomes more provocative with each passing “season.” Programs range from suggestive, to semi-pornographic—to full-blown pornography for those willing to pay for the “special channels”! Meanwhile, the Internet offers the easiest-ever, and also the cheapest ever, access to sexually-explicit material, with an estimated 25 percent of web “searches” being pornography-related as of 2003. Evidence suggests that this percentage has risen sharply.

Despite abstinence education programs, the efforts of churches, and the explosion of deadly sexually-transmitted diseases such as AIDS, casual sex continues to flourish. Fear as a deterrent seems to have largely become a thing of the past.

The modern secular world has thrown off nearly every restraint in favour of raw hedonism—pursuit of pleasure above all and in every forum in which it is available. Western culture, in particular, is obsessed with sex as a recreational pursuit, like golf or boating.

Though it involves a different form of falsehood, this approach also represents an attack on marriage. Rather than ensuring, as did the doctrine of the “Christian” fathers, that sex within marriage would be joyless and guilt-ridden, the “free love” concept shatters any sense of sanctity or exclusiveness that exists when there is sex between spouses. It opens the Pandora’s Box of sex outside of marriage, in every possible variety, combination and number of partners!

Ancient Corinth struggled with the amoral environment of the Roman Empire. This atmosphere was even affecting the brethren of this congregation. Paul wrote them, “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband” (I Cor. 7:2). Modern amoral permissiveness acknowledges no need to avoid fornication! It advocates the right of an individual to engage in sex whenever, however, and with whomever he or she pleases—although usually with a qualifier conceding that it should be between “consenting adults.”

Given humanity’s tendency, under the sway of Satan, to mishandle, misunderstand and pollute sex—and this is what men do with every gift of God, given for mankind’s benefit—we ask again: Was sex necessary? Why did God create it?

Relationships Based on Love

The purpose of sex is directly connected to the nature of the kingdom of God—which is equivalent to the governing Family of God!

Let’s state again that the human family was instituted by God for a great purpose. It is His method of training us—preparing us to join the ultimate family—the God Family—upon resurrection and change from human flesh to spirit (I Cor. 15:48-54).

Every healthy family relationship is based on LOVE. And love is the foundation of God’s character—the definition of His nature. Twice, the apostle John records, “God IS LOVE” (I John 4:8, 16)! Love is not merely something God has, but is rather what He is.

This attribute is also the first of the fruits of God’s Spirit, qualities which are to be evident in the life of a Christian (Gal. 5:22). This love binds together the members of the God Family—currently the Father and Jesus Christ (John 1:1-14).

Marriage between a man and woman is also designed to be based on love, as a reflection of Christ’s relationship with His true Church. We read earlier: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it...So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies...Forthis cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh” (Eph. 5:25-31). Stated plainly, the “cause” of marriage is LOVE!

Also, sex itself is set forth as another cause—actually directly interconnected with love—for marriage in the Genesis account of the creation of Adam and Eve, and Christ confirms this in the New Testament: “He which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause, shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they two shall be one flesh” (Matt. 19:4-5). The phrase “one flesh” is a direct reference to the sex act within marriage.

These two causes—love and sex—are inseparable within God’s intended design and purpose. Love between spouses is expressed through the means of sex, and God uses marital sex to ingrain within us the principle of love!

This leads to another central question: What exactly is love?

Three Greek Words

Most in the modern age have been sold a false concept of love. This concept is perpetuated in literature, film and music, with endless intoning of lyrics about “love”—“I love you, You are my one and only love, Let’s make ‘love’, I want to love you tonight,” etc. Love has been mistakenly equated with romantic feelings, physical attraction or sexual desire—and illicit sexual relations. It is invariably confused with simple LUST!

All forms of lust are selfishly motivated. It is a desire to “have” another person sexually, in order to gratify one’s own senses.

This is the opposite of TRUE love!

The language of the New Testament, Greek, includes three distinct words that may be translated “love.” We will briefly examine each of these words.

Agape is spiritual love. This is the word used in Scripture to describe the love of God. It is pure, completely selfless love, which can only enter the human mind through God’s Spirit (Rom. 5:5). When God says that He is love, He is speaking of agape.

Philia or Philadelphia can be translated as “brotherly love.” This is natural human love between family members or friends. Eros is sexual love, as intended by God to exist within the confines of marriage. This is love that is expressed by the physical means of affection and sex. However, this is not the same as lust, which is expressed by different Greek words.

True, mature love can be defined as genuine concern that is directed outwardly toward another. Love is unselfish. It is not focused on getting or taking, but rather is interested in the welfare of others, and is cantered on the desire to give.

Those motivated by love believe Christ’s statement, “It is more blessed to GIVE than to receive.” Though many have heard or read these words, very few actually apply them. To do so is contrary to human nature, which is essentially selfish.