Slides: What About Sexual Intimacy and Singleness?

What About Sexual Intimacy and Singleness?

Henry Reyenga

The Challenges of Singleness and Sexuality

Marriage age is delayed.

Sexual harm and injury.  

Technology that aggravates the marriage orientation of sexual pleasure.

Internet Porn

Metaverse

Sexuality separated from Christian marriage sexuality worldview.

Movies and media supporting non-marriage sexuality for singles.

Christian Single Options

1 Corinthians 7:33-34    But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—  and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.

Single and Devoted to Ministry

Acts 21:8   Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

Is this a gift or is this something you surrender in devotion to the Lord?

Single and Content

Single and contently cool to sexual urges.

Philippians 4:11-12    I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation

You are able to put your sexual urges on low, and you are busy with work and ministry. You may be open to a marriage relationship but are content as a single.

Single and Content

Single, Widowed, or Divorced

1 Timothy 5:9-19     No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

Single Struggling and Burning

Single, lonely, and burning with sexual energy

1 Timothy 5:11     As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry.

1 Timothy 5:14-15   So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.

Stay Away from Pleasure Idolatry 

Developing a plan to stay away from pleasure idolatry.

1 Timothy 5:6    But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.

Being Single and Dealing With Sexual Urges

Discern who you are and how your plan will address your biological urges. 

Make a covenant with yourself to capture sexual thoughts to be in a future marriage or nostalgia marriage place. Development of marriage worldview fantasy.

Create a lifestyle that connects with your goals. Stay busy with meeting your goals.

Develop boundaries that keep your goals on track.

If you masturbate, keep masturbation free from porn and in moderation (more on that in the masturbation section of the course).