Celibacy and why?

[brinny]

No, I do not believe that at all. For one children are naturally celibate and they naturally exude the joy of life. We love kids for their simplicity and innocence. O I know they still have all the flaws on a smaller scale, I had five of them myself and will have eight grandchildren by September, but the world is so blessed to have these little ones around us. I think Jesus said it best when He said:

• Matthew 18:10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.

He also said some were called to be celibate and some not in Matthew 19:12 so why would we think celibacy is any different in God than not? It is just a different calling.
1 Corinthians 7:7 says: for I wish that all men were even as I myself (celibate). But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that (married).
I therefore think celibacy is good if you are called to it by God and I also think married and sexually active with your spouse is also a very good and blessed thing as well. Children can be such wonderful fruit of any marriage if God chooses to give them to us and I do consider myself blessed for that. But whether married or celibate we must love God and each other in purity for God blesses all of us with His great love either way.
In Christ, John 17:20

I agree.

Amen .

 

[pescador]

There is nothing in the Bible that requires celibacy for a married couple except for a brief period of time. There is no requirement that I know of that requires complete celibacy, married or single. It is denying the sexual force within us that God created.

 

[pescador]

Rape is when the person does not comply. I asked you if a spouse was compelled to comply whenever their spouse wanted sex. Yes, or no?

I know the question wasn't directed at me, but the answer is absolutely not.

 

[bhsmte]

I know the question wasn't directed at me, but the answer is absolutely not.

Completely agree. Just curious what the other poster thought, but doesn't appear they will answer.

 

[Cearbhall]

Does this mean; every time a husband or wife wants to have sex, the spouse is compelled to comply?

To be fair, a spouse's reason for refusing sex can be misguided without it actually being wrong for them to refuse. Nearly any decision can have a dysfunctional motive.

 

[Kenny'sID]

Does this mean; every time a husband or wife wants to have sex, the spouse is compelled to comply?

That's not what was indicated, or at the very least, realize there are always extenuating circumstances.

Say your wife or husband are sick, and that's just one of a million I would think most would automatically assume as a given for rejection of sex.

Of course in most cases it wouldn't even be expected at certain times, but there are always the numb skulls (probably mostly men.

Rape is when the person does not comply. I asked you if a spouse was compelled to comply whenever their spouse wanted sex. Yes, or no?

<staff edit>

 

[bhsmte]

To be fair, a spouse's reason for refusing sex can be misguided without it actually being wrong for them to refuse. Nearly any decision can have a dysfunctional motive.

Agree.

 

[archer75]

I regret asking about this, but for the record, I didn't mean one instance of refusal, I meant a years-long enforced abstinence not motivated by any health issues or anything of the kind. Just a solid and unyielding no, despite the rest of the relationship being okay.

But I do regret asking, since it hasn't gone well.

 

[Solomons Porch]

I regret asking about this, but for the record, I didn't mean one instance of refusal, I meant a years-long enforced abstinence not motivated by any health issues or anything of the kind. Just a solid and unyielding no, despite the rest of the relationship being okay.

But I do regret asking, since it hasn't gone well.

YOU have NOT caused trouble AT ALL !!!

 

[JIMINZ]

Does this mean; every time a husband or wife wants to have sex, the spouse is compelled to comply?

Hi bhsmte

The institution of Marriage by God, is far greater than for the purpose of our own sexual gratification.
The demanding of sexual relations by the man, is as bad as the refusal of sexual relations, by the woman.

Eph 4:26-27
26) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27) Neither give place to the devil.

Be Blessed

 

[pdudgeon]

Hi Solomon's Porch

Here is the answer to your question.

1Co 7:1-9
1) Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
2) Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
3) Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

4) The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
5) Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

6) But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

7) For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

8) I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
9) But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

Be Blessed

agreed. what I can't fathom is why everyone seemingly forgets about verse 9.

 

[pdudgeon]

What's the take on this thread on abstinence enforced by one partner? Not quite celibacy, but many of the same challenges.

in almost every situation that I can think of, it would be a temporary abstinence. ie 9th month of pregnancy, post partum, got the flu (pretty much self explanatory that one) TAD somewhere without the spouse along, etc.

 

[archer75]

in almost every situation that I can think of, it would be a temporary abstinence. ie 9th month of pregnancy, post partum, got the flu (pretty much self explanatory that one) TAD somewhere without the spouse along, etc.

I meant like in post 168.

 

[pdudgeon]

Rape is when the person does not comply. I asked you if a spouse was compelled to comply whenever their spouse wanted sex. Yes, or no?

no...rape is when one becomes an unwilling object of convenience and not a beloved partner.

 

[pdudgeon]

I regret asking about this, but for the record, I didn't mean one instance of refusal, I meant a years-long enforced abstinence not motivated by any health issues or anything of the kind. Just a solid and unyielding no, despite the rest of the relationship being okay.

But I do regret asking, since it hasn't gone well.

ok, got it. My first thought would be a refusal caused by fear of mistreatment or brutality. second thought would be fear of pregnancy, and third would be deep seated anger or grief over a previous infidelity. Fourth would be due to a drastic gain or loss of weight in one's mate, and thus the loss of physical appeal.

enforced abstinence is almost always proceeded by a breakdown in the marital relationship itself, and is a reaction and not an instigation.
does that make sense?

 

[archer75]

ok, got it. My first thought would be a refusal caused by fear of mistreatment or brutality. second thought would be fear of pregnancy, and third would be deep seated anger or grief over a previous infidelity.
enforced abstinence is almost always proceeded by a breakdown in the marital relationship itself, and is a reaction and not an instigation.
does that make sense?

Your answer makes sense, yes. I was thinking of an instance in which there is no other breakdown, there is desire for pregnancy, and no history of brutality or infodelity.

 

[WilliamBo]

I haven't read the whole thread but Paul said he had the "gift" of being celibate and others had the "gift" of marriage... he said "he who marries a virgin does good, but he who doesn't marry does better"

 

[pdudgeon]

Your answer makes sense, yes. I was thinking of an instance in which there is no other breakdown, there is desire for pregnancy, and no history of brutality or infodelity.

especially if there is a desire for pregnancy, if that desire goes unfulfilled every month that reminder of yet another failure to conceive can become painful in and of itself. thus leading to possibly a wish to stop trying.
So it's not a "cease and desist" order against all sexual activity as such but a plea for tenderness and understanding.

 

[Solomons Porch]

especially if there is a desire for pregnancy, if that desire goes unfulfilled every month that reminder of yet another failure to conceive can become painful in and of itself. thus leading to possibly a wish to stop trying.
So it's not a "cease and desist" order against all sexual activity as such but a plea for tenderness and understanding.

I never thought in depth about the pregnancy issue and the desire to have children, food for thought

 

[High Fidelity]

You've determined that just by seeing the word appear on your screen or what?

No, I'm just saying I've seen celibacy come up in a lot of circumstances where that seems to be the case.