The ancient Greeks had four distinct words for love: Agapé (the love of God), Phileo (brotherly love), Storge (family love), and Eros (sexual love). Interestingly, while the Bible—both the New Testament and the Greek translation of the Old Testament—uses agapé, phileo, and storge, it never uses eros. Why?
Because sex is NOT love.
Despite the popular phrase “making love” and the vital role sex plays within the sacred bond of marriage, sex in and of itself is not love. It is passion, desire, and physical attraction—but love, as defined by God, is far more than that. The act of sex, particularly outside of marriage, often stems from selfish urges, while true love—the love of God—places others above self. People are meant to be loved, not used.
God clearly defines love in 1 Corinthians 13 and throughout Scripture. He also leaves no ambiguity about sexual morality: any sexual activity outside of marriage is fornication—plain and simple.
1 Corinthians 7:2 – “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.”
Sex within marriage fosters intimacy, strengthens the marital bond, and provides security for both spouses. Marriage is God’s protective covenant for sexual intimacy. Outside of marriage, sex becomes a selfish pursuit of lust—one that leads to pain, brokenness, and profound loss.
One of the greatest consequences of unrestrained sexual behavior is the destruction of the family unit. The so-called “sexual revolution” has left a tragic legacy—the collapse of the traditional family, a rise in single-parent households, and the heavy burden this places on society. When people ignore God’s design for sex, the consequences are undeniable.
1 Corinthians 6:13 – “Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.”
In 1 Corinthians 7:12-20, Paul lays out the deep spiritual and societal consequences of sexual immorality. While a full exposition of these verses is beyond the scope of this discussion, suffice it to say—the consequences are severe. God’s command is clear: sex outside of marriage is forbidden, no matter how normalized it becomes in society.
The world may try to redefine morality, but God’s Word remains unchanged. Those who disregard His design for life, relationships, and family will experience the consequences, whether in broken homes, emotional wounds, or spiritual struggles. If you doubt this, just ask anyone who has had to co-parent with an unbeliever.
So keep yourself pure. Resist the devil’s attempts to distort and corrupt what God designed for good. The world may embrace sin, but as followers of Christ, we are called to honor God’s plan and live in holiness.