We live in a generation where people have allowed culture, social media, and personal experiences to define their understanding of marriage, sex, and relationships. But as believers, our standard must always remain the Word of God.

In this week’s teaching from the series Marriage, Singleness and Self-control, we were reminded of a simple but important truth: marriage is good.

According to 1 Corinthians 7:1-2, God created marriage as the proper context for intimacy. Sex was never designed to be casual, transactional, or disconnected from commitment. Yet, for many people today, Satan has reprogrammed sex into a compensation package, a commercial exchange, or simply an emotional escape. What God created as sacred has been reduced by the world into something common.

As people of faith, we must stay with the truth.

The Bible makes it clear in 1 Timothy 4:1-5 that everything God created is good, and that includes marriage and sex within marriage. God is not against intimacy; He created it. In fact, Proverbs 5:18-19 shows that intimacy in marriage is meant to be enjoyed, celebrated, and protected.

This is why it is dangerous to normalize sexual relationships outside marriage and still expect to build according to God’s pattern. It is not Christian culture to meet someone and immediately begin a sexual relationship. God’s design has not changed.

At the same time, self-control remains necessary for every believer. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, not a suggestion. In 1 Corinthians 6:18, Scripture says to flee from sexual immorality. Sometimes wisdom is not trying to “resist” temptation while staying in compromising environments. Wisdom is leaving.

The things we expose ourselves to matter more than we think. The music we listen to, the movies we consume, and even the environments we constantly place ourselves in can either strengthen or weaken our ability to resist temptation. What feeds the flesh will always make self-control more difficult.

Another important reminder from the teaching was this: stop using social media as the standard for marriage. Many people are struggling to settle down because their expectations have been shaped by curated lifestyles online instead of godly values and real-life commitment.

Marriage is good. God created it, blessed it, and gave it purpose. But for marriage to work God’s way, self-control, wisdom, and obedience to His principles are non-negotiable.

An excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Bolu Oluyomi, on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

Watch this sermon here