We are living in the 21st century, a time when every carnal desire can be fulfilled if there is a willingness to seek it out. Pornography is a multi-billion dollar industry, people jump in and out of bed and relationships with each other without a second thought; and marriage is put on a pretty platter like a decadent dessert enticing us with the promise of deliciousness, but lacking the truth of the weight it holds. Not to mention the lure women have on men with overexposure of their girly parts and men’s willingness to lead women into the ways of unrighteousness. The world wants us to believe that satisfaction can only be found through sex and excess. So how can anyone be single, saved and satisfied amidst all of this?
Remember Paul. He set the standard for living single, saved, and yes…satisfied (see 1 Corinthians 7:7). He did so by being of service to the Kingdom of God! He preached the word of God to all who would listen; he planted churches, he mentored those that would come after him, and he wrote most of what would become the New Testament. He was busy doing His Father’s business. Paul set a standard for all of us to admire, especially for those of us that are single.
It sounds simple enough, right? Of course Paul did not live in this century! He was not faced with the enticement that singles face today. Sex sells and it is everywhere we look; we are tempted by the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of carnality. Commercials use sex to sell potato chips, beverages, appliances and anything else. Turn on the radio and we hear about sexual enhancement remedies; go to work and we hear the latest sexcapades from co-workers. Turn on the computer and a pop-up ad leads to a pornography site. Sadly enough even children are exposed to the pressures of sexuality at an early age. But fortunately God is bigger than our temptations; and He is our refuge (see 1Corinthians 10:13).
But if the temptation is still too much to bear, Paul suggests marriage as an alternative (see 1 Corinthians 7:9). The Bible does not say it is better to live together and pretend to be married, it does not say it is better to ‘get some’ just this one time; and it does not say that it is better to take matters into our own hands. Paul is specific about this…it is better to marry than to burn with passion. He did not say to rush out and get married either. The purpose we have as single people in the Body of Christ is to remain steadfast in our service, be prayerful, feed on the Word of God and establish an ongoing relationship with the Father. There is plenty to keep us busy as He prepares us to be married; if it is in His will to do so. We must remember that as followers of Christ, our bodies are temples that should not be defiled by carnal desires (see 1 Corinthians 6:18). The Bible says that our bodies are not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord! Marriage is the only place that God honors sex (see Hebrews 13:4).
There is so much pressure put on singles to be married, in a relationship, or to participate in some type of sexual activity that it is no wonder so many are left unsatisfied and longing for something more. Singleness is often equated with loneliness or being alone, as if satisfaction cannot be found without a mate. We must ignore the standard for living that is set by worldly people, and embrace the standards set by God. He said that He would never leave nor forsake us, so that lets us know that we are not alone. Being single is not a death sentence and it does not mean that life is unfulfilling; the fulfillment we seek can only be given by God and He is eager to be there for us in our weakness (see Isaiah 41:10). Being single is a blessing for those willing to serve and spend time in the presence of God without interference. Besides, if we need someone to love, to spend time with, to talk to and embrace; there is someone worthy of meeting…His name is Jesus and guess what? He is single too!
Prayer: Father God we call upon you asking that you would keep us in the midst of the pressures we are facing. Temptation is all around us, enticing us, tricking us, and causing us to move outside of your will. Lord, please forgive us for falling short and failing you. Remind us that our bodies are temples and we were bought with a price, the blood of Christ Jesus. Help us to be satisfied in our service so that it does not matter that we are single. Draw us nearer to you so that your love can flow through us and make us whole. You are worthy of all the praise and honor, because you are the ultimate mate for each and every one of us. Your unfailing love and devotion is deeper than anything that mere mortals can provide. We pray these and so many other blessings in Jesus’ name, Amen!
Read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 & 7:6-9, 25-40 to be clear about the expectations of being single in the Body of Christ.
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