Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
1 Corinthians 7:1-9 (NIV)
Concerning Married Life
7 Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. 8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
What do verses 5 and 9 say about human sexuality?
Holy Father, You have a plan for each of our lives. Some are blessed to be married and others are blessed to be single. Thank you for spiritual intimacy with You that each of us, single or married, can all find in prayer, Your Word, and Worship through Your Spirit. Thank You for the sacrificial relationship of love, respect, and honor for those who commit to being married. In marriage, we have a binding obligation to serve our partner with physical affection. Sex is a beautiful part of marriage but sexual relations without true affections fall short. As a wife, I crave the affection of my husband and likewise, help me to render affection to him. Affection for each other grows larger than physical sex. Allow us to grow in Your Spirit together. Nurture our relationship with Your love. As a couple, help us also to show our affection to each other through actions, consideration, and gentle touches. Help us give affection to each other by knowing when to speak when to listen, and when to just hold each other in silence. Help us to work together and make decisions that are mutually beneficial for each other. In those times due to health situations, grieving, or other reasons where we are not physical, let our relationship with You and our affections for each other bond us together and make us stronger. As we age and the physical beauty of our youth has faded, let intimacy show up in other ways such as caregiving and patience, and sustain us through our Love for You and affection for each other. Let us sacrificially love each other as You love Your church. Amen