Study Desk

I know some of you are thinking, "Food was made for the stomach and the stomach was made for food." But just because this is true doesn't mean you should stuff yourselves like gluttons or use your body for sexual things God never intended. Don't use your bodies for your own pleasure, but for the will of God. He gave you your body so give your body to him.

But the one who rides with the Lord is one with him.

I'd say stay away from it completely, but if you cannot, get married and have sex like God intended—each man with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.

Don't be using sex like a bargaining chip. If y'all are going to quit having sex, then it should be a mutual agreement. Use the free time to be in prayer. But when your prayers are done, get back at it or the devil will get a foothold in the bedroom door.

I say these things, not as a command from God, but as a permission from him.

But I'm telling you the truth, it'd be better if y'all were just single like me. It'd save you a whole lot of discomfort. But being single is a special gift from God, no more or less than the other gifts he gives.

But if you run too hot in the loins, then go ahead and get married. It's better to be married than burn with passion that leads to sin.

But if she does, she needs to stay single or go back to him. And husbands shouldn't divorce their wives.

To the rest of you, God hasn't given me anything explicit to pass on, but it's safe to say that if a cowboy who rides for the Lord has a wife who doesn't believe, he must not divorce her if she's willing to stay married.

The unbelieving husband will be looked favorably upon to an extent by God because of the believing wife. And the unbelieving wife will be looked favorably upon to an extent by God because of the believing husband. If this wasn't the case, then their kids would be like outsiders to God, but that ain't the case. God loves them and looks favorably on his kids.

But if the one who does not believe wants out, let 'em out. In this case, the believer is free and not bound by marriage anymore. Do it this way because God has called us to live in peace, not conflict.

If a cowboy had his pickle clipped long ago and becomes a believer, he shouldn't be trying to glue anything back on. But if a fellow is uncircumcised, he shouldn't get his pickle clipped when he becomes a believer.

If you were a slave, don't fret about remaining so . . . but if you get the chance to be free, take it.

Look at it this way, if you were a slave before Jesus, you are now free. But if you were free before Jesus, you are a slave to him now.

Now, let's talk about your question about virgins. God hasn't told me anything specific, but he has given me mercy and wisdom that can be trusted. This is what I have to say about them.

But getting married isn't a sin. If a young lady gets married, it isn't a sin for her to lose her virginity. However, those who are married will have a lot tougher time than those who are not.

But a married fellow has to worry about supporting his family and his wife, not to mention worrying about if she's happy or not.

Do you see how he is trying to do two things at once? He's trying to ride for the Lord and take care of his family. The same goes for a widow or a virgin. They concern themselves only with the Lord's work because they are dedicated in body and soul. But a married woman has to worry about worldly matters and pleasing her husband.

Let's look at this situation, a cowboy has a girlfriend, but they don't intend to get married. If they think they might get sexual with each other, then they should get married before that happens. Then there is no sin.

But if he can control himself and they decide not to get married, that would be better.