Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 12/14/2007

Question
Who are sinners, is dipping snuff a sin, the bed being undefiled-does this means oral sex is ok for married couples? Please give scriptures for all your answers. Thank you so much for helping.

Answer
Catonya,

Thank you for your questions. I will answer them in the order in which you asked them.

1. "Who are sinners..."

All of humanity is born into sin through the bloodline of Adam, cannot save themselves, and are in need a Savior.
Gen. 1:27, Rom. 3:10 ; 3:23 ; 5:12 , lsa. 53:6; Eph. 2:8,9

Because of man's total inability to save himself, salvation is by God's grace alone, and the believer in justified through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is received through sincere, godly repentance, and whole-hearted acceptance and confession of Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord.

John 3:3,16; 1 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 2:20: 1 Pet. 2:24, Romans 10:9-10

2. "...is dipping snuff a sin..."

Anything that places a person into bondage (which every form of tobacco does) is a sin.

Gal. 4:9
But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Dipping snuff also destroys the body, which is the temple of the Lord, and shortens ones life. The Bible teaches us as Christians that we are to be clean and holy -- spirit, soul and body. Our bodies are called the "temple of the Holy Spirit". Every Christian is accountable to God for the condition of his body.

1 Cor 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

1 Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Psalms 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

Prov. 4:10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

Galatians 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  
6:8
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  

3. "...the bed being undefiled-does this means oral sex is ok for married couples"

The Bible does not forbid it, nor does it discuss it. There is no biblical evidence that it is a sin against God for a husband and wife to express love for each other in this way. No where do we find the Scriptures limiting the sexual relationship of a godly husband and wife. God is the author of sex, love, and every part and sensation of the human body. He designed the relationship of a husband and wife to be loving, sensuous, joyful, creative and full of pleasure.

Though the Bible is silent on the subject (apparently leaving it up to the mutual agreement of the marriage partners), it is not silent on sex in marriage.

1 Corinthians 7:3
Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.  
7:4
The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.  
7:5
Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.  

Once again Catonya, I hope that this helps. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Elder Greg Madden
http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1