During a bible study I went to the other day, the pastor there was talking about how all homosexual acts were sinful, but there are some heterosexual acts that would be appropriate. I didn't think of the question at the time, but what do you guys think would be considered sexual sin?
The pastor didn't quite specify, but I'm sure having sex to have children would be fine, but do you guys think it would be sinful to do so otherwise?
You mean, is sex within marriage for other than procreation sinful? No, I don't think so at all. In fact, I think quite the opposite, the spousal-role serves multiple purposes, including procreation - but also enjoyment of one another as well as release of God-given sexual urges, and when done in the context of a loving, intimate relationship, is not only condoned, but blessed by God - a gift.
1"How beautiful you are, my darling,
How beautiful you are!
Your eyes are like doves behind your veil;
Your hair is like a flock of goats
That have descended from Mount Gilead.
2"Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn ewes
Which have come up from their washing,
All of which bear twins,
And not one among them has lost her young.
3"Your lips are like a scarlet thread,
And your mouth is lovely
Your temples are like a slice of a pomegranate
Behind your veil.
4"Your neck is like the tower of David,
Built with rows of stones
On which are hung a thousand shields,
All the round shields of the mighty men.
5"Your two breasts are like two fawns,
Twins of a gazelle
Which feed among the lilies. - Song of Solomon 4:1ff
Paul addressed the marriage [bed] in I Corinthians (note that "Husband" refers to a man and "wife" refers to a woman and marriage in God's eyes is between a man and a woman. Homosexual sex of course, of any kind, is wrong ("Sodomy is not a family value") and should need nothing more to be said in that regard) thus:
But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 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. 1 Cor 7:1-5
Paul acknowledges that men and women have sexual needs, needs that are not necessarily tied to the expressed purpose of procreation, and that neither spouse should "deprive one another" and give to each other their "conjugal rights" - realizing their bodies don't belong to themself but to their spouse.
Of course, such "rights" need to be voluntary, not forced, IMHO - and that out of love and respect for one's spouse - it wouldn't be right to force one's conjugal rights on one's spouse if they aren't ready or willing to give it ("headaches" may not always be a valid excuse, but you get my drift
). In all things, even in (especially in) the marriage relationship - love.
God bless....
