36 If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.

39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. 40 In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 7:36-40

Paul’s final instructions to the singles in the crowd would certainly be considered archaic in today’s society. He’s teaching abstinence, patience, and self-control. And if you can’t control yourself anymore, he told the people to get married.

There’s sound wisdom in his advice, especially in light of the “hook up” culture that seems to permeate society.

As with all of God’s instructions to us, when we don’t follow what He’s laid out for us, we do so at our own risk. With these instructions, when we deter from them, we run the risk of disease, heartache, disappointment, and abuse. It’s the same principle for married life as well. One man, one woman. Stay married to that person “til death do you part” if at all possible.

When you sit down to think about it, you realize that God really does have our best interests at heart.