Sex is God’s idea, and it’s a gift to us. Anyone who needs proof that God created sex as a gift should look no further than the Song of Solomon. This book of the Bible shows the love between a newlywed man and woman. However, many people do not engage in physical love in God’s proper timing, becoming “slaves to lusts and pleasures” (Titus 3:3). Let’s take a look at the right time for sex.

God’s Order

Sex is something God planned for marriage. One of my friends describes God’s plan for married couples: He wants a couple to love one another, marry, enter into a sexual relationship and, if it’s His will, have and raise children. If any of those happen out of God’s order, those involved will suffer. Sex without love and marriage will lack the powerful bond He wants a couple to build. Children who come from a relationship outside of God’s order will be robbed of a stable home life.

Resisting the Devil

The Bible does not forbid sex. It only tells us to wait until we are married. When we are unmarried, we should “resist the devil” (James 4:7) with God’s strength to avoid giving into temptation. Part of resisting temptation can be acknowledging it. It is acceptable to notice that God made someone beautiful or attractive, but “be on your guard” (Luke 12:15) that your thoughts do not result in lust (intense sexual desire).

Rather, “take every thought captive” (II Corinthians 10:5), so that you can force your mind to think about what is pleasing to God. If you do have lustful thoughts, speak with a Christian friend -- or even your own spouse -- and “confess your sins” (James 5:16). God will provide many ways to keep you from sin.

Moving Away From the Past

God does not want His people to waste their lives pursuing “evil human desires.” “Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, God’s wrath comes on the disobedient” (Colossians 3:5-6) Instead, we are to think about that which is “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy” (Philippians 4:8).