Resources/Articles
True Love Waits
Parents, who are Christians, are asked about the sexual activity of teenagers. They grasp for solutions and preventative measures to help their child understand the importance of “waiting until marriage” (Hebrews 13:4). Proclaiming sex before marriage to be a sin is just one of the ways to convince a child to “wait until marriage”. Another preventative measure is encouraging your child to develop an intimacy with Christ.
Psychologists tell us the greatest need is to love and be loved. We have the desire to share ourselves with someone else. Sexual intimacy alone cannot fulfill a person’s deepest need for intimacy. Therefore, John 3:16 says, “God so loved that he gave his only begotten Son…” In turn, the Son showed no greater love than to give Himself for His friends (John 15:13). Jesus is the only one who consistently and constantly extends perfect, unconditional love. In view of the love shown toward us, our first object of love should be the Lord with all our hearts, souls, and minds (Matthew 22:37).
Consider the words from teenagers about the value of their relationship with Jesus Christ:
“It is important to stay in a close relationship with Jesus. My boyfriend and I have discovered that if we start drifting away from Jesus, we are more vulnerable to our sexual feelings. If your relationship with God is not right, then no other relationship can be right either. If both of you are right with God, it is so much easier to go to Him when you need assistance.”
“We are human. We need to be loved and to have the feeling of being accepted. We need this love from home, but if it is not given to you there, go to the Lord and receive it from Him...He gives us love overflowing forever and ever. We will never need to depend on anyone else so long as we keep Him near. If our peers do not accept us, who cares? We know what we want out of life and we do not compromise it. There is someplace else to turn besides just our friends. Turn to God.”
Three important things happen when a person develops his/her relationship with God:
(1) The need for intimacy will be fulfilled. Loneliness will be eased. There is no need to fill the void with sexual activity.
(2) Your desire to please someone will be directed toward God. From loving Him, you will want to do what He commands, which includes avoiding sexual activity before marriage.
(3) God’s power will strengthen you so you will resist temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). Your relationship with God and what He desires helps you give your best in all other relationships.
