Have you ever noticed that our society seems to run on sex? Advertisers sell everything from toilet tissue to toothpaste by appealing to society's obsession with things sexual. It seems everywhere we turn there is someone or something driving us to act on our strong desires to have sex with one another. .
God gave men and women this strong desire to have sex with one another. He also gave them instructions on how to use this gift. When microwaves were first available, a woman used one to warm her cat. It thawed the pet out, but she had to bury it. The oven was wonderful, but she didn't read the instructions on how to use it. Does that mean microwaves are dangerous or that you shouldn't use them? No, but you need to follow the instructions in order to enjoy them without getting hurt.
The drive to have sex is like that. You need to know and follow God's instructions for using this wonderful gift. Marriage is a difficult, lifelong commitment. God knew that. So he gave men and women a special gift, a way to bond together, to renew their feelings and remain mates, not only of the flesh, but also of the soul.
When people who aren't married to each other have sex, it's sort of like putting a pet into the microwave. Someone is going to get burned (Proverbs 6: 26-28), perhaps by an unwanted pregnancy or by STD's (sexually transmitted diseases) or even by death. Why take the chance? How much better is it to follow God's instructions and enjoy the gift He's given.
That is what Joseph did. This story can teach you two things. First, the pressure to have sex out of marriage is nothing new. And second, you don't have to give in to the pressure. Joseph refused to "do such a wicked thing and sin against God" (Genesis 39: 9). That decision cost him a lot: his job and his freedom. But, he was brave enough to handle it. Are we?.
You don't need to be ashamed of your hormones. It was God who designed you this way.
