Saving Sex for Marriage in a “50 Shades of Grey” World

Today's blog post was written by Beth Steury. If you're thinking, not another "sermon" about purity, you're right. It is. But give it a read. It's an important subject, especially with the way the media has portrayed sex in recent movies.

Saving Sex for Marriage in a “50 Shades of Grey” World

It’s incredibly tough to maintain sexual purity in this sex-crazed world we live in. But you already know that, don’t you?

At a time when traditional values could really use a shot in the arm, what do we get instead? One punch-in-the-gut after another. Like last year’s massive assault on society’s morals in the form of the movie “50 Shades of Grey”.

Outrage doesn’t begin to describe my reaction to the ghastly amount of attention this pornographic movie—that premiered on Valentine’s Day no less—got from the media. As you already know, it wasn’t the negative, beware-of-this-movie kind of attention. It was the gushy, you-can’t-miss-this-incredible-love-story kind of attention that ignored the reality of this movie’s damaging message.

And a love story? Puh-leese…

It’s bad enough that “50 Shades” treated sex before the wedding rings as the “norm”, this poor excuse for a story made a mockery of what sex is supposed to be about. I can tell you with 100 percent certainty that GOD—the one who created sex—intended sex to be an act of love, bonding and commitment that bears no resemblance to the sadistic relationship on display in “50 Shades of Grey”.

It’s never been easy to stick with a commitment to save sex for marriage.  And unfortunately, that’s not likely to change. In fact it will probably only get harder. 

You see, the more accepted sex without a marriage commitment becomes, the more blurred the lines between right and wrong become. Even those who always planned to wait can find themselves asking, “Why, if no one else is?”

When it seems “everyone’s doin’ it”, the reasons for saving sex seem to fade in importance.

Premarital sex? Why not?

Hook-ups, multiple partners? Go for it!

It’s just sex…no big deal.

But sex is a big deal. It will always be a big deal because that’s how GOD designed it to be.

Guys, do not take your cues about how to treat women from Christian Grey. Don’t allow his warped view of GOD’s gift of sex to influence your approach to love and romance.  Relationships should not be about power and control.

Gals, do not allow Anastasia Steele’s apparent acceptance of her abusive and violent relationship to form your expectations about how men should treat you. Intimacy and sex are gifts to be treasured. Being in love should not involve dominance and pain.

Guys and gals, stay away from anything that will subject your heart and mind to the world’s warped views on sex.  Instead, surround yourself with people who can hold you accountable, who will help rather than hinder your commitment to save sex for marriage. Establish boundaries that will protect your future from the baggage that comes with sexual experiences outside of GOD’s design for sex.

Make no apologies when it comes to standing up for GOD’s design for sex. You deserve so much more than the turmoil and heartache that comes with the world’s view of sex. 

Beth considers herself a "cheerleader for abstinence. She says, "I'm passionate about abstinence and believe strongly in accountability and mentoring as crucial tools to success in saving sex for marriage."

You can read Beth's blog and also find out more about her on her website.