Seth Udinski, FISM News
A study recently released by the Wheatley Institute reveals that couples who are not sexually active before marriage tend to have a far more rewarding and fulfilling marital relationship than those that are sexually active.
The study found that couples who were “sexually inexperienced,” those who generally refrained from engaging in sexual activity before marriage, were often the ones who were more secure and satisfied in their marriages.
The researchers said,
Specifically, this study found that men and women who have only had sex with their spouse have a nearly 45% chance of reporting a very high level of relationship stability in their marriage, whereas only 25% of married individuals with 5 to 9 lifetime sex partners and only 14% of married individuals with 10 or more lifetime sex partners report a similarly high level of relationship stability … Nearly 50% of women and men in the United States enter marriage with 5 or more previous sex partners and, therefore, fall into one of the sexual experience groups that have significantly lower marital stability than married individuals who have only had sex with their spouse.
The study’s title, “The Myth of Sexual Experience: Why Sexually Inexperienced Couples Actually Go On To Have Stronger Marriages” is revelatory to its purpose, which is to dispel the common opinion among many young people today that “sexual experience” is necessary for couples to be better prepared for a happy, healthy marriage.
According to the study’s results, it is much better for men and women to abstain from sexual activity until marriage. Those with more “sexual experience” before marriage tend to be more susceptible to divorce later on down the line.
As an example, in the 2000s, the chances of divorce for couples who had previously never had a sexual partner were right around 5%. As the numbers increase to between 2 and ten previous partners, the percentage chance of divorce lands anywhere between 25% and 35%.
Author’s Biblical Analysis
Upon reading this report, Christians should be unsurprised and should say “Yes and amen.”
Common sense tells us that sexual impurity before marriage would lead to problems later on down the road. But it is not just common logic that says this. So does the Bible.
We see very often in scripture the idea of sin giving birth to more sin. Additionally, if it is not more sin that is begotten from sin, then very often we see chaos and trouble borne out of sin. Take, for example, the sin of adultery that David committed against Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11.
David lusted after Bathsheba, a woman who was not his wife, and had sexual intercourse with her. This sin led to other sins: the murder of Bethsheba’s husband and the deceit in trying to cover up the pregnancy. That initial sin also brought consequences: the child conceived in David’s lust died, and chaos and familial turmoil never left David’s house for the remainder of his days on earth, even long after he experienced forgiveness and restoration.
The lesson here is clear: obedience to God, in this case keeping the marriage bed pure, leads to blessing.
David’s failure to uphold the purity of the marriage bed ended up leading him into sin and chaos. We are promised, though, that God will honor our efforts to seek purity and righteousness in how we live, especially with this earthly relationship of utmost importance: marriage.
The lesson applies to us whether we are married or not. Treat your marital relationship, whether present or future, with the highest regard. Do not do anything that could profane it. I believe that if we are faithful in this, God will abundantly and richly bless us in our marriages.
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints… – Ephesians 5:3