i

September 1 Daily Devotional

Sex Education

Charles and Norma Ellis

Bible Reading:

Proverbs 5:15-23

15Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
16Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
17Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.
18Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
19Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
20And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
21For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
22His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
23He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

Devotional:

We probably do not regard the Bible as a manual on sex education, but it is! When it has been taken seriously its effects have been significant and far-reaching.

The Proverbs show an openness in speaking about sex which has not always existed through history. In Old Testament times wealthier men sometimes had several wives. Because of the hardness of their hearts God even permitted divorce, but men knew what was right. They understood that God made marriage to be an exclusive, lifelong relationship. The harlot was frowned upon. Infidelity to their God on the part of His people was compared to the unfaithfulness of a marriage partner. These things are freely discussed in God's holy Book.

Sex within marriage was accepted as good and honorable. This is evident in today's reading and it is expressed even more fully in the Song of Solomon. One would be blind not to see in Scripture that we have been given sex to enjoy in its God-appointed context.

In the girls' dormitory of a certain college there was posted a cartoon of a young boy, books in hand, evidently just returned home after school and standing inside his front door. He announces, 'OK, everyone in this house, please stand advised that I, Thomas P. Thompson, have this day made a complete fool of myself in Sex Education class by repeating elaborate stories concerning storks told me by certain parties residing herein.'

If misinformation or lack of information concerning sex causes embarrassment to our children, that is a small thing compared to the way in which it can so affect their attitudes and emotions that a wholesome, healthy sex life within their marriage may be difficult to achieve. Christian parents cannot shield their children from the torrents of ugly and distorted sex information and mis-information that is emptied upon them from every side. They can implant the attitudes toward sex which the Bible offers. Failure to do this is failure to educate them fully in God's truth.


We are happy to have obtained permission to post as our current daily devotional Heirs Together of Life: Daily Bible Reading for Husbands and Wives, published by The Banner of Truth Trust. Don't be misled by the subtitle. As the book's "Preface" indicates (see below), although Heirs Together of Life is "especially prepared for couples,"the authors declare, "Since the basis for this guide is God's Word, we believe it would have value for any reader."

Charles and Norma Ellis are husband and wife and the authors not only of Heirs Together of Life (which was first published in 1980 and continues in print today), but also of Wells of Salvation (first published in 1985, and likewise still in print today). The latter contains a series of short studies covering the entire book of Isaiah, while the former contains a series of almost 200 short studies covering the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Both books by the Ellises can be ordered from the publisher, The Banner of Truth Trust. We trust that these daily Bible readings, posted daily on our site, will be helpful to you in your Christian walk before God. Whether married or not, all of us are members of families and members of the family of God.

Charles Ellis was educated at Wheaton College and Westminster Theological Seminary. Upon graduation from Westminster (where he earned not only a Th.B. but also a Th.M.), he was ordained to the ministry in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and pastored a number of OPC churches, including Immanuel OPC in West Collingswood, New Jersey; First OPC in Cincinnati, Ohio; Covenant OPC in East Orange, New Jersey; Knox OPC in Silver Spring, Maryland; and Lakeview OPC in Rockport, Maine. Less biographical information is available about his wife, but it is known that they served as parents of seven children. After retiring from the ministry, Charles Ellis went to be with the Lord in 2003, but he and his wife left us with a beautiful legacy in the two books they have given to the world, and we are proud to share the daily Bible readings from Heirs Together of Life here with you.

 

CONTACT US

+1 215 830 0900

Contact Form

Find a Church