Questions and Answers

Continuing our Questions and Answers series, here is the second question from our first meeting:

Question #2: Biblically, how often should a married couple have sex?

Answer: All the time. This is clearly taught in 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 where Paul writes,

"The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."

Paul essentially says sex should be regular and consistent in marriage. It should be seen as a gift that God gives to you; yet sex should also be practiced in marriage as an act of obedience to the Lord (how many times have you heard that preached?) Now of course there are times where the couple cannot come together for all sorts of reasons. Therefore what should guide us in our view of sex in marriage is the admonition at the end of Ephesians for the husband to treat his wife as Christ treats the Church, and for the wife to submit to her husband as to the Lord. Sex in marriage is not something to be taken from the other, but always to be given to each other.

Now of course, sex is only permitted within marriage. All other sexual activity is forbidden. Those who practice sex outside of marriage are guilty of breaking God's law and according to Paul "cannot inherit the kingdom of God." So if you're not married, but are pretending to be in this way, stop it!