Premarital Sex... It Gets Worse

OK Sisters, it is time to get down to the nitty-gritty.  Yep, we are going to talk about sex–risks of premarital sex, to be more to the point—and some of the medical effects you may not be aware of.  Sure, you probably got the spiel from your 6th or 7th grade health teacher.  However, there is some recent news out there that is going to transform the way you think about sexually transmitted diseases... and if it doesn't, then baby, we need to pray about your death wish!

I was listening to a medical study review (nerdy, I know) on the radio the other day and I was reminded of how loving God is.  He is not (contrary to what some believe) a "Fun-Sucker" or a "Kill Joy."  He is quite the opposite, really.  He is the Creator of everything that is good, including laughter, love, marriage and yes—sex.  However, He is also a loving Father who wants the best for His children; and despite our sinful nature, I believe He wants to keep us from making decisions that will cut short our days.  This is why the Bible is so frank about one such decision: whether or not to have sex outside of marriage.  Now, don't go closing this post thinking, "BOOORRRRRRING, irrelevant, old-fashioned!" or "Been there, done that, this one doesn't apply to me!"  Wrong!  There is no one more relevant than Jesus and nothing more relevant than His Word. 

The medical study revealed that new research shows many cancers are actually secondary to infection...  Sister, "secondary to infection" means that certain infections cause cancer.  In particular, viral infections, and even more specifically, infections from sexually transited diseases (STDs).  Sadly, medical research is finding that these STDs can and often do cause cancers later in life.

For example, you probably already know that certain strains of Human Papilloma virus, or HPV (genital warts), can cause deadly cervical cancer (not to mention other life altering effects, like the inability to have children).  To make matters worse, many men are unaware that they are carriers of HPV because they often don't show signs or symptoms.  This is tragic, since many men will unknowingly infect their bride, the love of their life, once they decide to settle down.  She will then bear the consequences of his and other people's poor choices.

That's fine, because it won't happen to you, right?  Well, wait a minute!  Let's just bring this information down to a reality level, and the consequences into your own backyard.  It is now estimated that 20 million people are infected in the USA; 5.5 million will be infected this year, and that is JUST with HPV.  That, my friend, is A LOT of busy people...  Hopefully, people will find this more concerning when they begin to learn that there is also a link between HPV and both oral and lung cancers.  Have you ever seen the effects of oral cancer?  If you aren't faint of heart, give it a google.  The treatment is not guaranteed, and the face and neck deformities can be devastating.  I have taken care of many people with lung disease and cancer; it too, is not pretty.

Then there’s "Kissing Disease."  As a nurse, this one was a shocker for me to hear.  Mononucleosis or Epstein Barr virus, aka "Mono" is actually linked to head and neck cancers, lymphoma, aggressive breast cancers and pediatric cancers.  Other breast cancers are now being linked to other viruses as well—viruses transmitted by sex.

Another common infection, Trichomoniasis (7.4 MILLION new cases each year in the USA), is now known to cause prostate cancer in men.  There isn't a huge increase in risk of disease after this infection.  However, if cancer does follow, the patient is three times more likely to die from it, than if he had not been infected.  So, the thought is, that when this virus causes cancer, it is a cancer that is much more aggressive and deadly.

All of this goes way beyond our previous thinking that most STDs are just irritating infections that could be medically treated and the effects eliminated...  These studies show that even though a person may be successfully treated for a "less serious" STD, there can still be devastating effects from these things later in life.  Out the door goes the notion of HIV/AIDS as the only deadly STD.

So... How do I tie all this stuff to the idea that we have such a loving God?  Dear Sister, He tells us to avoid premarital sex, casual sex, and adultery to SAVE US!  Not to upset our fun!  Once sin entered this world, He knew what the consequences would be for different choices and sins.  God is not old fashioned, He has been ahead of our medical knowledge all along.  He warns us in His Word to lovingly protect us.  Does a child have to know the extent of injury they will experience if they touch a hot stove, in order to obey instructions not to touch it?  NO!  We expect our children to trust us and respect us enough to obey, despite their understanding of consequences.

It is time to trust the Lord for His love, direction and protection.  Listening and obeying Him, in all things, even if we don't fully understand why.  Jesus says in John 10:10b that he came that we might have life and have it abundantly.  If we follow His leading in our lives, we can trust that He will bless us.  However, do you know what the first half of that verse says?  "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy."  Anything not of God, is of who?  Sin and/or the enemy, and what is the result?  Death.  God couldn't be more plain about the Truth, so why do we ignore it? 

I Corinthians 6:18 says, "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body."  Why then would we doubt God's relevance?  There is more disease and death due to sexual sin than any other time in history.  Our culture and others are bearing the fruit of that sin in disease and death.
 
If you have been infected with an STD in the past, my point here is not to scare you.  Instead, my intent is to give you the head knowledge you need to take care of yourself.  Mostly, I hope this awakens your spirit to relying on God for His direction.  If you have concerns, talk these things over with your doctor next time you see him/her.  Even more importantly, talk these things over with God!  If your health is at risk, ask your church elders to council you and lay hands on you for healing.  God is bigger than all these things, but He also gives us direction to protect us and help us avoid trouble.

Unfortunately, this post has only covered a glimpse of the terrible effects casual sex can have on your physical body.  As so many of us know, it carries an even higher price for our hearts and minds.  The damage to the physical body is just a shadow of what it does to the spirit.  So, spare yourself the hurt, and enjoy the freedom and thrill that comes from waiting for God's perfect choice for you in a husband.  The blessings will be countless for you as well as your spouse!  2 Timothy 2:22 tells us to flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

For those who are struggling with the hurt of past mistakes, take heart!  God can heal and restore your spirit.  You may have waded through the mire, but He will pull you out and set your feet on solid ground.  He can make your heart, and even your body, whole again.  Just because we have sinned doesn't mean that we cannot begin with a renewed heart today!  The Bible says, and that lovely song goes, "Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a right spirit within me!"  So, sit tight and give your loving Heavenly Father the opportunity to start fresh in you today, and provide you with the protection He desires for the body He created for you.  If you need encouragement, please contact me here.

Biblical references found in the NASB and NIV translations.