Unlawful Sexual Relations

The Bible was given so that mankind would know who God is. In the scriptures men and women see how they can know God personally, and how they can receive salvation. The words from the Bible seem to indicate that God was serious about the laws and decrees he gave to us. In the book of Leviticus chapter 18, which not many read, God told Moses to give his people instructions about the sexual acts that he considered unlawful. In other words God was saying, “Don’t ever do these things.” These were laws God expected the people to obey.

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘I am the Lord your God. You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord.

“‘No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the Lord.

“‘Do not dishonor your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; do not have relations with her.

“‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; that would dishonor your father.

“‘Do not have sexual relations with your sister…”

“‘Do not have sexual relations with your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter; that would dishonor you.

“‘Do not have sexual relations with the daughter of your father’s wife, born to your father; she is your sister.

“‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s sister; she is your father’s close relative.

“‘Do not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister, because she is your mother’s close relative.

“‘Do not dishonor your father’s brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations; she is your aunt.

“‘Do not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife; do not have relations with her.

“‘Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother.

“‘Do not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living.

“‘Do not have sexual relations with your neighbor’s wife and defile yourself with her.

“‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.

Some of the sexual don’ts in this list are considered against the laws of society. If a person is found guilty of committing them they will suffer harsh penalties. In some societies the guilty would be put to death. I find it interesting, however, that in most places one or two of these biblical no no’s are condoned, even celebrated. For some, it is believed that even Jesus honors such behavior. Did God change his mind? Was he just kidding when he told Moses which ones were detestable? Did God really mean it when he said, “This is dishonorable, this will defile you?” I think just about everybody is repulsed when they hear a grandfather has had sexual relations with his granddaughter, or a family member has had sexual relations, consensual or not, with a close member of their family.

So are we left to decide which of these are unlawful and which are not? Apparently a great part of our world thinks we are. There are many ways in which we sin. Everyone makes decisions every day about what they will do, what they will not do, how they will live their life. But the key to making any decision should be based on this, “I am the Lord your God. You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord,” the words God spoke to Moses. Personally. I believe that God meant what he said. I don't think he has changed his mind.