A Desensitized Existence

Written by Danielle Rehor

We live in a sex-crazed world. As Christians, we must be aware of this influence and not allow it to distract us from where our focus should be.

Recently I was listening to and singing along with the radio when I realized the entire set of songs I had just listened to were all blatantly and shamelessly about sex. Sex is desensitized in our modern world—meaning that people aren’t sensitive to its power and don’t know how to use it properly.

Has it always been this way? Or have society’s standards been gradually lowering, becoming less and less concerned about sex being something sacred, pure and only for a husband and wife?

When we look into the Bible, we see this popular trend of desensitizing sex has been in existence since Paul’s time.

An issue Paul addressed

Some are confused about 1 Corinthians 7 because it can seem like the apostle Paul is saying that it is best for people not to get married. However, we know that God created marriage from the beginning of the creation when He created the first male and female (Genesis 2:24). Upon closer examination, we find this section of Scripture emphasizes the distractions that the opposite sex can pose for individuals. Verses 32-33 of 1 Corinthians 7 state: “But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world.”

What does this mean for us today? How can we ward off the slipping standards and stay focused on God? It doesn’t necessarily mean we must never get married—just that our focus has to be on God. He must be our No. 1 priority. Life is so cluttered, and much of the clutter we face is focused on sex. We see it on television and in the movies and hear about it on our radios and even in nearby conversations. If we are not careful, the topic can become an addictive focus.

This can become a huge distraction that can dim our focus on God. Paul addresses this: “And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction” (1 Corinthians 7:35).

Avoid distractions

No matter what age we are or where we are in life, distractions are constantly bombarding us. We must set our minds on truly important things: God’s Word, His promises to us and our responsibilities—not the matters of this world. We have to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind,” not conformed to this world (Romans 12:2).

We are surrounded by low standards, wrong values and misplaced priorities. We cannot let them affect us!

Paul was inspired to write this section of Scripture to encourage us not to let any physical distraction deter us from our ultimate goal of God’s Kingdom. As Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us: “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

Read the following resources for further insight into the topic of sexual purity: