Jefferson David Tant
 
You should be able to tell what this article is about when you read the Title. If you're still in the dark, this article is about pre-marital sex and the harm and damage it causes to both individuals and society in general.

  
One statistic states that each year there are over a million teenagers that get pregnant in the United States. And every month there are babies born into households where the father of the child is not present.
 
But unwanted pregnancy is not the only problem with premarital sex, as each week hundreds of teens contract painful and sometimes deadly sexually transmitted diseases.
 
And a further problem is that of abortion among teens. “Teens under age 20 make up 12% of individuals who have abortions nationally; minors, age 17 or younger, account for about 4% of all abortions in the U.S. This means at least 50,000 adolescents need abortion care each year in the United States.” And just what is an abortion? It is the murder of an unborn baby!
 
Question: Why do we have speed limits and drivers' license laws? Duh. That's quite obvious. If people were allowed to drive as fast as they wanted to, and whether or not they had a driver's license, we would be having total chaos on our roads-accidents, death and destruction. We all understand the need to have and observe the laws about this.
 
Well, there are also laws given about sexual matters, and they are given in the Owner's Manual-the Bible, God's Word. We are thankful that we have the police to oversee the observance of our laws concerning driving. If you break the law and are stopped, there is a penalty to pay. And we know that lawbreakers are quite responsible for accidents and deaths.
 
Now, concerning sexual activity, there are regulations that deal with this. And while we do not have the Sex Police in our lives today, we have the Owner's Manual that gives instruction about our behavior, and the ultimate result of those who practice immorality unless they correct their behavior and are forgiven by our Creator and Lawgiver.
 
Now, concerning my car, I have an Owner's Manual. It gives directions about caring for my car, having service schedules for changing the oil and other services, etc. I am free to ignore those directions, and may think I am saving time and expense if I drive 50,000 miles before changing the oil. But that will come at a price. My engine will wear out, and I will be out a lot of money. There is no one who will enforce the suggestions in the Owner's Manual. I follow it because it just makes good sense.
 
And with respect to sexual matters, our Owner's Manual is very clear. There are two words that are used to name sexual sin-adultery and fornication. Note what wise Solomon said about this sin: “The one who commits adultery with a woman is lacking sense; He who would destroy himself does it.” (Proverbs 6:32) And there was a penalty in the Old Testament for those who were caught in this sin. 'If there is a man who commits adultery with another man's wife, one who commits adultery with his friend's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.” (Leviticus 6:32)
 
God has given very clear and abundant instruction on this matter, as the words “adultery” and “fornication” appear some 456 times in the Bible
 
The New Testament, God's book of guidance for us today, also has several passages that deal with this sin of adultery and/or fornication. In Christ's teaching, he even goes beyond the act itself, and condemns the lust that leads to immorality. “You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)
 
So, what is the source of lust? Pornography is everywhere – on the internet, movies, magazines, and scantily clad girls on the streets also invite lust. And how do we avoid this? We watch our eyes! “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.” (I John 2:16)
 
And our girls can do a lot to help in this if they will dress modestly as Paul advised: “Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly…” (I Timothy 2:9a)
 
And what does God's Word in the New Testament have to say about the penalty for adultery or fornication? “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals.” (I Corinthians 6:9)
 
“But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
 
Dear Reader, young or old, remember that our Creator knows what is best for us. In the same way, my auto maker knows how to best care for my car. If we think it wise to follow our car manufacturer's instructions, don't we think it much wiser to follow the instructions of our body's maker? Makes good sense to me.
 
Not only will following God's instructions keep us from sin, but it will keep the body pure, prevent the murder or birth of a baby, and give us the fulfillment of our desires with our lifetime partner whom we have married. It will also help keep us on the road to heaven.
 
So, when is the time to say 'I do?” That's when the one officiating at your marriage ceremony asks “Do you take this one to be your lawfully wedded husband/wife?” Your response is “I do.”
 
It just makes good sense to follow the Owner's Manual, God's Word.