WAIT: Why God’s Design for Sex Still Matters
Growing up, I was never given spiritual reasons not to have sex.
Most of the warnings I heard sounded something like this: Boys are up to no good. Or You don’t want to end up pregnant.
To some degree, both of those statements were true. But the deeper reason that should have been planted in my heart was this:
Jesus didn’t design it that way.
Sex outside of marriage is not simply a bad decision or an unwise choice. According to Scripture, it is sin.
And God cares about what we do with our bodies.
In First Epistle to the Thessalonians 5:23, Paul writes that our whole spirit, soul, and body are to be kept blameless. That sounds like the total package to me. God isn’t only concerned with our spiritual lives while ignoring our physical actions. Our bodies matter to Him.
In fact, the Bible consistently reminds us that what we do with our bodies reflects our relationship with Christ.
Another passage that always comes to mind is Book of Psalms 139, where David reminds us that God is everywhere. There is nowhere we can go that escapes His presence.
That means when we choose sexual sin, it isn’t hidden.
God is there.
He is present in the room.
He is present in the car.
He is present wherever that decision takes place.
That might sound almost comical when you first think about it, but it’s actually a very sobering truth.
Jesus sees what we do with the body He entrusted to us.
Purity isn’t just about avoiding consequences like pregnancy or heartbreak.
It’s about honoring Christ with the body He gave us.
God designed sex to be a beautiful gift within marriage—a reflection of commitment, intimacy, and covenant. When we take that gift outside of the place God designed for it, we misuse something sacred.
But here is the good news.
Even if you didn’t hear these truths growing up, it’s never too late to start living them now.
Jesus offers forgiveness, grace, and a fresh start. The goal is not perfection—it’s obedience.
Choosing to WAIT isn’t about restriction.
It’s about reverence.
It’s about honoring the One who created you.
And honoring Christ with your body is always worth it.
Reflection
Am I honoring Christ with my body?
Have I allowed culture to shape my view of sexuality more than Scripture?
What steps can I take today to live in obedience to God’s design?
WAIT!
Why God Calls Us to WAIT for Sex Until Married
The Lord placed WAIT on my heart as a call to encourage wholehearted submission to Jesus Christ with our bodies.
I’m a firm believer that there are two areas we struggle the most to surrender to God: our money and our bodies. Yet if we truly desire to serve Christ, we must give Him every part of our lives. Jesus does not ask to be Lord over some areas—He asks to be Lord of all.
Waiting in an Impatient World
Let’s be honest—who likes waiting?
We live in a world built on impatience. Everything is instant. Instant food, instant answers, instant gratification. The faster the better.
But there is one thing our Savior, Jesus Christ, calls us to wait for.
Drumroll please…
Sex.
Yes, S-E-X.
Abstinence is not a popular subject. In fact, it’s often avoided altogether. But the truth is, it is necessary for those who desire to live according to God’s will.
In a culture that encourages people to do what they want, when they want, with whomever they want, the idea of denying our desires seems almost unthinkable.
But I’ve never been one to simply follow the crowd.
So I’m taking this opportunity to encourage us all to do something countercultural.
WAIT.
My Honest Testimony
You might be wondering, Did you wait?
My honest answer is no.
And if I’m being completely transparent, I wish I had.
That regret is part of the reason this message is so important to me. I want to encourage young men and women to avoid the pitfalls and mistakes I made. I want to encourage believers to truly follow Christ by living obedient lives in every aspect of their lives.
Why Should We Wait?
Because God calls us to
📖 1 Corinthians 7:2
“But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.”
In this verse, the apostle Paul makes it clear that sexual intimacy is designed to exist within marriage.
📖 Hebrews 13:4
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
The marriage bed is sacred. Sex was created by God, but it was created specifically for the covenant relationship between husband and wife.
Any sexual activity before marriage, outside of marriage, or in addition to a married relationship is considered sexual immorality according to Scripture.
📖 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God…”
God calls His people to live differently from the world. That includes exercising self-control and honoring Him with our bodies.
📖 1 Corinthians 7:8–9
“To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
God provides a clear and honorable place for sexual intimacy—marriage.
The Lies Culture Tells Us
Our culture sends constant messages about sex.
It tells us:
“Everyone is doing it.”
“You need to test sexual compatibility.”
“If you love someone, sex is expected.”
“You can’t control those desires.”
But none of those statements are rooted in God’s truth.
The world teaches us to follow our feelings.
God teaches us to follow His Word.
Feelings change.
Culture changes.
But God’s standards never change.
The Blessing of Waiting
Waiting is not punishment—it is protection.
When we wait, we protect:
Our hearts
Our spiritual walk
Our future marriage
Our relationship with Christ
God does not give us commands to take something good away from us. He gives us commands because He knows what will ultimately bless us and protect us.
Waiting may not always be easy, but obedience to Christ always leads to life, peace, and freedom.
A Final Encouragement
If you have already made mistakes in this area, you are not disqualified.
God is a God of grace, forgiveness, and restoration.
Your past does not have to define your future.
Today can be the day you make a new commitment to honor Christ with your body.
You can start fresh.
You can walk in obedience.
You can choose a different path.
And that path begins with a simple but powerful decision:
WAIT.