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As a Christian, I hold to the Christian ethical system. In the world today, it is very hard to stand firm while everything around you is wavering. Our culture contains so many different views and everyone holds to “their own” ethical system or beliefs. I look to the Bible for the standards and truth I need. It gives me a depiction of right from wrong, and also brings encouragement as the world around is broken.
A big issue in today’s society is sexual morality. “Sex before marriage” is a hot topic and very controversial among Christians and Non-Christians. According to Magnuson, sex is “the pursuit of pleasure” (Invitation to Christian Ethics, page 152). Many Christians hold to the Bible and believe that sex before marriage is wrong. However, the world seeks after pleasure in whatever capacity they can find. They believe that the pleasure found in sex should be enjoyed whenever, with whoever. So the issue is plain an obvious. Which standard will you hold too? A big thing that gets overlooked, is the fact that Christians still struggle to withstand the temptation of sex before marriage. All humans have an inherently sinful nature, whether they’re Christians or not.
The Christian ethical system would bluntly say that sex before marriage is wrong. The Bible explains that we should flee from sexual immorality, and specifically states that we were each created for one man/woman. We shouldn’t give our selves to several people, because it defeats the purpose of intimacy. It also can affect your psychological state, when you have sex with multiple partners. Although it may seem a little to rigid or old fashioned to save your purity, it will have an affect on you in the long run. The main purpose, ultimately, is to please God and obey His word; however, the other perks play an important role as well. By following this ethical system, you will be able to have an intimate relationship with one man or woman, while also being able to freely share your life with them knowing, you are the only two people who have seen this side of each other. It is a comforting fact to know this especially as a female. Trust can be hard, and having security in this aspect of life will ease the other struggles. Overall, this approach is Biblical, but also fruitful if you are looking for a relationship that will last through the hills and valleys of life.
While Christianity says no to sex before marriage, the world and the Non-Christian ethical system screams the opposite. They would explain that as long as both people are in a agreement, then there is no reason that you have to wait. Life is all about pleasure, right? Magnuson states this, “Sex before marriage is expected and accepted, for abstinence is understood to be unrealistic or even harmful”, (page 156). The word unrealistic really captures the view this system takes. They think that not having sex freely is unrealistic, therefore you should have it with whomever you want whenever you want. Although this is a free lifestyle it seems very dull. The fact that you give yourself to so many people seems so uncomfortable. Their is no security or sense of intimacy in this system. Though their is a dilemma for most people, the answer looks plain an obvious. Wouldn’t you rather enjoy security with one man/ woman? And enjoy the pleasure of sharing love with them and only them? The world might convince you other wise, but follow the way of the Lord and withstand the schemes of the devil. Not to say it won’t be difficult to abstain from sexual immorality, but it will be worth it in the long run. So let the your future lead you and give you the strength to endure the difficulties you may face in this area of life.
Ken Magnuson, Invitation to Christian Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary IssuesLinks to an external site., Invitation to Theological Studies Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2020), 152, 156.