Recently my wife and I were discussing marriage, and we struck upon this idea: the best way to defeat your enemy is to convince him to not even fight. What does this realization have to do with marriage? It is this: modern western culture tells young people that no one can wait until marriage for sex, so you might as well try it now. An additional, quieter message is that marriage isn't that great, and so sex before marriage is as good as it will get.
These two messages are complete lies. Tragically, these lies discourage young people from embarking on the struggle for sexual purity and the quest for a truly good spouse.
Fortunately, with effort and self control, anyone can save sex for marriage. And though there are lots of weak and unhappy marriages, there are lots of happy and healthy ones, too. A successful and fulfilling marriage is possible. I know this from my own marriage, and from the marriages of many of my friends.
Young men and women CAN be married happily ever after. Young people, ask God for the courage to save sex for marriage, and for direction to a good spouse. Read the Bible, especially the whole of Ephesians chapter 5, and read the book Love and Marriage: Questions Young People Ask by Bruce and Carol Britten, available in Christian bookstores. This book discusses why and how to stay sexually pure and how to prepare for and build a great marriage.
Young people: do not believe the lies that sex can't wait, and that marriage isn't that great. Don't allow yourself to be defeated before the battle begins. Make the effort to stay sexually pure, and to find that good spouse and build a great marriage. In doing so you will benefit yourself, your spouse, your children, and the entire nation.
Rudy Poglitsh
