latterrain77
New Member
Hi Teresa. Thank you for your comments. I was thinking more in terms of those other than spouses or truly potential spouses. For example, I think it is inappropriate for church members of the opposite sex to discuss sexuality matters with each other. A man should not discuss this topic with a woman at his church, and a woman should not discuss this topic with a man at her church - other than in the most broad and general Biblical sense without even a hint of “saltiness” (if that’s even possible).
Of course, a husband and wife can discuss such things between themselves in a totally unfettered and unambiguous manner.
Nevertheless, your point raises an interesting question. IF a young man or woman is NOT a “virgin” should they discuss this with someone of the opposite sex that is positively “spouse” potential? Perhaps! Should they do so with someone they have “just met” or in the early stages of a romance? I think no.
I say this because those undergoing the “courting” process are likely to encounter some measure of romantic interest (1 Cor. 7: 8-9). Indeed, this is one of the pre-requisites to actual marriage! However, this behavior is only understandable in those extremely limited instances where the young man and woman are truly “courting.” Such interest on a “first or few dates” is perhaps best avoided. Accordingly, the discussion of such things in “first date” type scenarios is better to avoid as well.
There is no record in the Bible of Joseph & Mary discussing intimacy matters during their courtship. If fact, the Bible illustrates that Joseph kept related thoughts of these things to himself (Matt. 1: 19-20). Jesus himself did NOT discuss anything about himself when confronting sexual conduct outside of marriage in John 8: 3-11. Boaz & Ruth did not discuss their own “sexuality” with each other during the courting process (Ruth 2 and the entire book). The Apostle Paul did seem to touch on his own situation, and that commentary was exceedingly brief, non-descript, and totally void of puffery (1 Cor. 7: 7-8).
Why would a Christian make any public profession about their personal intimacies at all? Is this done as a witness tool? Fine, then discuss it privately with the person you are witnessing with (man witnessing to man – woman witnessing to woman on this subject). Public announcements of such things in the personal mode tends to suggest what is described in Matt. 6: 2. Furthermore, I've seen men "witnessing" to woman on this topic for reasons that were other than Christian love (hustling, exploiting, and taking advantage of them might be a better description of what these men were doing).
Virginity until marriage is a glorious GIFT from GOD that would ideally be given to all. To convert such a gift into an “asset” or tool of self-promotion is obviously un-Biblical and such expressions should be avoided. Our Christian witness is not about lifting ourselves up – it’s about lifting up the Gospel message. We should be building UP those who do not know the truth – not tearing them down.
Since Jesus did not mention anything about his own situation on this topic (not once) then why should any of us?
latterrain77
Of course, a husband and wife can discuss such things between themselves in a totally unfettered and unambiguous manner.
Nevertheless, your point raises an interesting question. IF a young man or woman is NOT a “virgin” should they discuss this with someone of the opposite sex that is positively “spouse” potential? Perhaps! Should they do so with someone they have “just met” or in the early stages of a romance? I think no.
I say this because those undergoing the “courting” process are likely to encounter some measure of romantic interest (1 Cor. 7: 8-9). Indeed, this is one of the pre-requisites to actual marriage! However, this behavior is only understandable in those extremely limited instances where the young man and woman are truly “courting.” Such interest on a “first or few dates” is perhaps best avoided. Accordingly, the discussion of such things in “first date” type scenarios is better to avoid as well.
There is no record in the Bible of Joseph & Mary discussing intimacy matters during their courtship. If fact, the Bible illustrates that Joseph kept related thoughts of these things to himself (Matt. 1: 19-20). Jesus himself did NOT discuss anything about himself when confronting sexual conduct outside of marriage in John 8: 3-11. Boaz & Ruth did not discuss their own “sexuality” with each other during the courting process (Ruth 2 and the entire book). The Apostle Paul did seem to touch on his own situation, and that commentary was exceedingly brief, non-descript, and totally void of puffery (1 Cor. 7: 7-8).
Why would a Christian make any public profession about their personal intimacies at all? Is this done as a witness tool? Fine, then discuss it privately with the person you are witnessing with (man witnessing to man – woman witnessing to woman on this subject). Public announcements of such things in the personal mode tends to suggest what is described in Matt. 6: 2. Furthermore, I've seen men "witnessing" to woman on this topic for reasons that were other than Christian love (hustling, exploiting, and taking advantage of them might be a better description of what these men were doing).
Virginity until marriage is a glorious GIFT from GOD that would ideally be given to all. To convert such a gift into an “asset” or tool of self-promotion is obviously un-Biblical and such expressions should be avoided. Our Christian witness is not about lifting ourselves up – it’s about lifting up the Gospel message. We should be building UP those who do not know the truth – not tearing them down.
Since Jesus did not mention anything about his own situation on this topic (not once) then why should any of us?
latterrain77
