How Sex Points Us to God
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[3 Comments]I was in junior high, walking toward a group of buddies, when my best friend came out of the circle and stopped me.
"No," he said. "You don't want this."
"What are you talking about?" I asked, hurt that this guy, of all people, would spurn me.
I learned that my friend was keeping me from a book that was making the rounds. It had something to do with sex—complete with pictures—and the dog-eared corners attested to its being quickly stashed under mattresses in numerous adolescent occupied homes.
Most of us are introduced to sex in shameful ways. The viewing of "dirty" books or the experience of sexual abuse at the hands of an older person often usher us prematurely into the world of sexual knowledge. The natural result is that most of us have to overcome deep-seated anxieties about sex. Many Christians don't see sex as a gift for which to be thankful, but as a guilt-ridden burden to be borne. And naturally, anything so intimately connected with guilt is difficult to view as a ladder to the holy.
Yet most married Christians know that sexual intimacy can produce moments of sheer transcendence—brief, sunset-like glimpses of eternity. On the underside of ecstasy we catch the shadow of a profound spiritual truth: Sex turns us toward God.
Christian spirituality serves us in at least three ways regarding sex: It teaches us the goodness of sex while reminding us that there are things more important. It allows us to experience pleasure without making pleasure the idol of our existence. It teaches us that sex can certainly season our lives but also reminds us that sex will never fully nourish our souls.
It might sound shocking, but it's true: God doesn't avert his eyes when a married couple goes to bed. It stands to reason, then, that we shouldn't turn our eyes from God when we share intimate moments with our spouse.
Spiritually meaningful sex
To appreciate how sex points us to God, it may help to understand how the ancient Jews viewed sex. The Holy Letter (written by Nahmanides in the thirteenth century) sees sex as a mystical experience of meeting with God: "Through the act [of intercourse] they become partners with God in the act of creation. This is the mystery of what the sages said, 'When a man unites with his wife in holiness, the Shekinah is between them in the mystery of man and woman.'" The breadth of this statement is sobering when you consider that this shekinah glory is the same presence Moses experienced when God met with him face-to-face (Exodus 24:15-18).
To use our sexuality as a spiritual discipline—to integrate our faith and flesh, so to speak—it's imperative that we understand this: God made flesh, and with it, some amazing sensations. While the male sexual organ has multiple functions, the female clitoris has just one—sexual pleasure. By design, God created a bodily organ that has no other purpose than to provide women with sexual ecstasy. This was God's idea. And God called every bit of his creation "very good" (Genesis 1:31).
Originally published in: Marriage Partnership, 2005, Winter, Page 34
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ek
i am a biologist.. just think that the sperm u ejaculate after massurbation is mainly composed of spermatozoides. each one of them has a potentiel of life. you once were one of those. for me, even if its hard, and i know it is, to stop massurbation, i will alwys try not to do it. massurbation = killing.[ there are many other reason not to do so, but i like this one;)] tc man :) godbless
Infant Prashanth
Mr.Toyosi your question is a major question which most of the people dont wish to talk or share to people and here's the answer. . The "HOLY BIBLE" says " do you not know that you are God's temple and God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God 's temple ,God will destroy that person. For God's temple is Holy,and you are that temple " | Corinthians 3:16,17 Also my friend THE SCRIPTURE say's any sin committed against the Father or The Son will be forgiven but the sin committed against Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. . So , I think you are clear that masturbation is a very serious sin. .
Toyosi
Is masturbation a sin? Most people do it because they still want to remain a virgin but need to satisfy their sexual urges. May I know what the bible says about this? I need to counsel someone but I don't know where to bring the bible in. Please I'll appreciate it if I can get some medical implications of masturbation. Thank you
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