Safe Sex

1 Corinthians 7:1-11

Adrian Rogers


Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 7:1-11

Sexual immorality completely disintegrates the foundation of a family; a culture that celebrates sexual immorality will result in the fall of a nation. God has given us boundaries, not to harm us, but rather to help and protect us. 1 Corinthians 7 gives a clear, biblical emphasis on safe sex.

Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband” (1 Corinthians 7:2). This passage explains the way of happiness for the married person, by first recognizing the sanctity of safe sex. God’s plan for sex exists in the bounds of holy matrimony; it is part of becoming one flesh.

There’s also an element of selflessness, as 1 Corinthians 7:4 says, “The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.”

Adrian Rogers says, “Lust is always marked by getting, but love is always marked by giving.”

There is also security in safe sex; as verse 5 explains, a home that does not have a proper sexual attitude is a home that is open to an attack by the enemy.

This passage also illustrates the way of helpfulness for the single life. There is nothing wrong or sinful about choosing singleness. It is a gifted life, as 1 Corinthians 7:7 states: “...But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.” But if we are not married, we cannot please God while engaging in sexual activity. If we remain guarded, our singleness leads to a godly life.

Finally, this passage also explains the way of holiness for every person, married or single.

There are several reasons to keep ourselves morally pure. Immorality is psychologically harmful. It kills true love and endangers future marital happiness.

Immorality is one of the greatest dangers to any society; there’s always the danger of conception and of disease. But ultimately, we ought to refrain from sexual immorality, simply because the Word of God clearly teaches against it.

Safe sex is a way of happiness for the married life, helpfulness for the single life, and the way of holiness for every life.

Apply it to your life

Are you living a morally pure life? If you are married, practice safe sex by keeping sex within the bounds of your marriage; if you are single, remain guarded. And no matter your relationship status, strive for holiness.