Jesus Doesn't Wrap Silly Myths

by Linda Bartlett

When did God say, "Educate children in sex"? I challenge you to find a passage in Scripture. While you're looking, you will find an opposing thought. Parents are to train their children in purity. The theme of purity is woven throughout Old Testament and New.

When our sons were in elementary school, I purchased a series of "sex education" books from a Christian publisher. Something about them troubled me, so I put them on the shelf. I found a better substitute - chivalry and more about biology than "sexuality." Of course, there is no substitute for the Bible. I was amazed to see how much God has to say about training in purity. I began to contrast God's Word with "sex ed" textbooks and resources. The teachings were worlds apart. (Note: Other names for "sex education" include "human growth and development" or, sometimes, "family living.")

The question for me was this: Which worldview was best for children? Some years later, speaking nationwide to young people and their parents, I realized why I had been uncomfortable with Christianized "sex education." Jesus does not wrap Himself around worldly ideas.

"Sex education" is not a Biblical teaching. It is the idea of Alfred Kinsey who coined the phrase "children are sexual from birth." Too late, his criminal and fraudulous research was exposed. Opinions had been shaped - in education, media, and even courts of law. If we define ourselves as "sexual" (with "needs" to be met), or "sexy" ("it's our right"), then that's how we'll live. Our Creator God defines us differently.

"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them" (Genesis 1:27). The first man and woman were made in God's perfect image. God defines Himself as "Holy." Therefore, God called the bearers of His image not to a "sexy" life, but to a holy life. We all fell from perfection when sin corrupted God's perfect image-bearers, but His original design for male and female did not change. We are called and equipped by God to be holy (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). Unlike animals, we are not captive to our sexual desires. Our bodies (knitted together by God) and our lives (held in His arms) our not our own. They were "bought with a price" (1 Corinthians 6:20). That price is the blood of Jesus Christ. In Jesus, we are forgiven and set free to pursue what is good, right, and holy.

God created male and female, not to bring glory to themselves, but to Him. We do this best when we realize that God does not define us as "sexy" or instruct us to call attention to ourselves; rather, He defines us as "holy" people who help our neighbors see God.

God's Word says, "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather, train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive . . ."

This passage from 1 Timothy 4:7-10a tells me that Jesus can't be wrapped around unholy and "silly" ideas. It is impossible for Truth to wrap Himself around foolish and destructive philosophy and practice. Certainly, as the passage notes, we have to "toil and strive" because disconnecting ourselves from worldly influence is extremely difficult. It threatens to sap the energy right out of the most persistent Christian. Still, every father, mother, grandparent, pastor, teacher, and mentor is obligated by God's Word to train children in purity. To do otherwise is to remove the protective boundaries of modesty and expose vulnerable children to wolves - big and bold, or dressed in sheep's clothing.

Jesus doesn't wrap Himself around modern sex education. He can't. He is the Word of purity, modesty, and humility. For this reason, His Word tells older brothers that they have the responsibility to guard the purity of their younger sisters (Song of Solomon 8:8-9). If the little sister is a wall (virtuous), they are to help protect her virtue. If she has fallen into sin and is like a door (swaying open to promiscuity and harmful choices), they are to do what they can to rescue her, call her to repentance, and put a stop to her sinful behavior.

Jesus contrasts the world. He is Light; the world is dark. He is Truth; the world is myth and changing opinion. Jesus, the Word, tells us: Do "not stir up or awaken love until it pleases" (Song of Solomon 3:5b). We must not disregard the order that pleases God. It is His design - for the good of all - that love be stirred, awakened, and fulfilled only in marriage between one man and one woman.

So, I challenge you to answer one question: Which practice is compatible with Jesus?

  1. Boys and girls brought together in a classroom, not to study anatomy, but to "ease inhibitions" and "comfortably" discuss all manner of "sexuality" (with timid caution to wait until marriage... following graduation, college, and establishment of career); or,
  2. Boys and girls taught separately to honor God's order of equal, but different sexes (two genders) mentored in Biblical manhood and womanhood; equipped for the battle with temptation; and age-appropriately helped to understand God's design for procreation between one man and one woman in marriage.

Jesus is Truth. Truth cannot wrap Himself around unholy and "silly myths." To protect children from wolves (big and bold or dressed as sheep), Jesus guards walls of virtue. He rescues the hurt and repentant after doors have swung open. He tells me to do the same. This is the love of Him who holds young ones in such high esteem.

(This article first appeared in the Winter 2010 issue of LifeDate published by Lutherans For Life.)