Playing with fire: What does the Bible really say about sex?

God's basic design is for a man and a woman to marry. They become one flesh.

Matthew 19:5 (NIV)
'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?

Two becoming one includes a sexual union.

1 Corinthians 7:3-4 (NLT)
The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife.

The wife gives her body exclusively to her husband. The husband gives his body exclusively to his wife.

Hebrews 13:4 (NIV)
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Marriage is a blessed gift from God. Keep the marriage bed pure by abstaining from sexual relations with anybody other than your husband or wife. Sexual activity outside of marriage is improper, dishonorable, impure, defiled, a sin against your body, and a sin against God. The Bible forbids any sexual act between any unmarried individuals including boyfriend/girlfriend, and even fiancés. God will judge all of the sexually immoral.

If you are in a relationship and you struggle to properly control yourself, you must either terminate the relationship or get married.

1 Corinthians 7:9 (WEB)
But if they don’t have self-control, let them marry. For it’s better to marry than to burn.

1 Corinthians 7:36 (NLT)
But if a man thinks that he’s treating his fiancée improperly and will inevitably give in to his passion, let him marry her

If you are not in a position to marry due to age, finances, or any other conflict, you must end the relationship. We are told to stand strong and fight all manner of evil and temptation. However, the battle with youthful lust is one that we aren't
to engage in. Flee from compromising situations and relationships that leave you vulnerable. Battles lost can drastically change your future, damage your heart, pervert your mind, and even cost you your soul.

2 Timothy 2:22 (NKJV)
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Examine your heart, habits, and dating life. What are you pursuing? Is your destination the pleasures of sin for a season or a Godly relationship filled with righteousness, faith, love, peace, and a pure heart?