The Gospel and Sex

We've talked on the blog before about pre-marital counseling, and I'll be writing about it again soon. One of the facets of most counseling sessions is a conversation on sex. Maybe we talk about the purpose of it, what inhibits it, how we use it to negotiate or how we come to it selfishly. Frequently, though, sex is separate from our other gospel-centered marriage counseling. I know I've read plenty of articles or book chapters meant to motivate me to serve my husband through sex. These things might work for a time, but I've realized they only go so deep. We know we should do it, but the "why" is left at "because he needs it," and the "how" is "by being open and vulnerable and willing."

But these statements leave us still wanting something deeper. I can't muster up the courage to be vulnerable and open with my husband. I can tell myself I need to, but that only makes it harder, stacking feelings of guilt on top of each other and making it even more impossible to be vulnerable.

My dear friend, Marci, wrote a fantastic article about this topic that is a must-read--whether you're engaged to be married, newlyweds, or married for years. Even for teens it's a great description of the purpose and beauty of sex.

Here's one quote that captures the angst we often feel as we look at sex in marriage:

Christian couples want to be uninhibited with each other but it’s not safe. We have perverted what God intended to be pure and we’re not quite sure how to go back. Both husbands and wives long to return to the garden of Eden when the two could be naked together and unashamed, but our sin keeps getting in the way, marring our marriage beds with shame and mistrust.

I encourage you to take the time to read this post today--it is joyful and freeing good news!

Gospel-Centered Sex? by Marci Preheim