Sex is like superglue -  it joins you to someone else body and soul (metaphorically, not literally). God intended this to be a lifelong union, not a casual fling. Genesis describes a man and woman becoming one flesh when they are married. 1 Corinthians 6:18 says, Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Paul explained that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Sex is not a sin - God designed it. But when sex happens outside of marriage it is a sin that affects the body, soul and spirit. Many of you have experienced the heartache of a broken relationship. It's painful even when you have not had sex. When a relationships that involves sex ends it is even more painful because you have been joined to that person in a more profound way. It's like tearing apart two people that have been superglued together!

When I was a teenager I was boy crazy - I mean I was obsessed. I always had a crush - someone that I would dream about day and night. I'd imagine going on dates and hanging out with them and holding hands and kissing (it was PG rated). My reality could not have been further from my fantasies. I was always the girl that boys wanted to hang out with, but not date and I was friend-zoned every time I was fond of a boy.

You might think that all this boy craziness was pretty harmless but in hindsight it was a waste of time and energy. I could have invested that time reading, studying and memorising the Bible, praying, helping people, being a better friend... I could have been doing a thousand other things that were better than pining after a guy. The Bible doesn't say that daydreaming about boys is a sin but consider the following verses:

Romans 8:5 
Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Colossians 3:2 
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 

Boys are definitely one of the things on earth. When I was a teenager I wish I had focused on being me and having fun and not worrying about trying to impress my latest crush. There was plenty of time for boys in my twenties - I wish I had been content just being friends.

This video is suitable for late teens and young adults or anyone who thinks they're ready to have sex.

Dr Patricia Weerakoon is a Christian sexologist from Sri Lanka who now lives in Australia. She has some excellent things to say about sexuality from a Christian view point. Here are a couple of points from her Science, the World and the Word of God talk on Wednesday night.

• The world tells us that sex satisfies, but the truth is that only Jesus can offer you true satisfaction. 
• Sex is never casual - it involves a bonding of two people, body and soul
• As a teen and young adult your brain is still growing and changing and the things that you are exposed to (especially porn) have a lasting impact.

You can find out more in her books, Growing up by the book and Teen Sex by the book. She will be speaking at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church this weekend. You can find more information here.

Promise rings are big in the USA and symbolise a girl's pledge to remain pure until she marries. In this article in Set Apart Magazine, author, Leslie Ludy explains that making a promise and wearing a ring are not enough. She said, I committed to guarding my thought life, not allowing my mind to fantasise about guys, or obsess over what they thought of me. And I stopped allowing my mind to be influenced by the debased mentalities of pop culture through ungodly romance novels, secular songs, popular magazines and immoral movies. I love her commitment to holiness. Ephesians 5:3 says, But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. You can read Leslie's full article in a free excerpt of the April/May 2018 Set Apart Magazine or you can purchase the online version.

This statement from Colossians 3:18 is very controversial and often taken out of context. I must admit, that I struggled with it when I was younger. Marriage is like a road trip only one person can drive the car. You both plan the trip together, but ultimately, only one of you can drive. This doesn't mean that you are a door mat. Verse 19 says, Husbands love your wives and never treat them harshly. A similar pass in Ephesians 5:25 says, For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her. You might think that it is difficult to submit to someone, but to love someone like Christ loved the church (he died for her), that is definitely a harder task.