A Very Touchy Subject

1 Corinthians 7;1-2 (KJV)

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

*Also, with this base scripture, we shall add (for an even more meaningful understanding) verses 8 and 28. The contextual explination will be given.*

Verse 8--- I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
Verse 28--- But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

THIS IS NOT A DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT FOR YOU ALL TO GO OUT AND MARRY JUST TO HAVE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE. REPEAT: YER BROVA IS NOT TELLING YOU TO USE MARRIAGE AS AN EXCUSE TO HAVE SEX.


I asked Christ, within my prayer study time this morning, to give to me some bit of understanding why marriages are debilitated, disabled, disintergrating, and ultimately destroyed. I was lead to this scripture, as well as when studying further I saw the further understanding of how we, as men and women, do not like to "hold" ourselves for a greater purpose. Oh Yeah, it is about to get deep, very very quick.

Paul states to the Corinthian church, upon the question asked of him, that it is NOT GOOD that a man touch a woman. That word touch can be misleading to us, but since we are being encouraged by the Holy Spirit to live a HIGHER STANDARD we should automatically understand what that word 'touch' means. But, for those of us, like me, who like to tip toe up to the line of demarcation and just toy with it: with our toe over the line. Here is what was actually meant by 'touch'

Touch- in the Greek: haptomai (hap'-tom-ahee) it is reflexive of the root word hapto (hap'-to). This word, hapto, is a verb meaning to fasten to; specifically to set on fire by way of kindling or lighting a thing. As in to touch two item together that would cause a thing to be set on fire. So, the actual meaning of 'haptomai' is to attach oneself to; in many implied relations it is to touch. Touching to cause a fire to arise: the fire of passion.

No more confusion on the matter. It is very simple. Told y'all we would get deep, real quick. You know that 'get together' last night, with that woman, wasn't good. That is why you had to leave out: it got HOT up in the spot. Felt like the place was set ablaze, and your pants are probably sit smothering. LOL I would go even further to say that the 'touching' of the cell phone to your ear, listening to her voice, giving you the invitation to bring the "lighter", was not suppose to happen. Yeah, it is a stretch of the thought, but if you would have sat there, and not answered, and prayed, studyed, or even just sat still..... Understand?

Moving forward we have to tackle these other two verses so that your day's encouragement can be full. Verse 8 shows how Paul, in instructing those he writes to, desires them to mimmick himself: in being able, through celebacy, keep their mindset on service to God, through Christ Jesus. Yet, he understands that this is not every man's or woman's gift. That is why he states before hand that it is spoken, to the people, of himself 'by permission' rather than to be taken as commandment (verse 7). And, he qualifies the statement (verse 9) by letting them know that there is relief to the matter because to be outside God's grace and mercy is, as the kid's say, a HOT MESS. What is necessary for us, in this modern era, to understand is this way Paul instructs us concerning this use of the word 'good' within both verse 1 and 8.

Good- in the Greek: kalos (kal-os') This word probably means beautiful but it is chiefly used as good in the figurative manner. Think 'valuable' or 'virtuous' when it is used in an issue of appearance. "It is good to be seen as an upstanding man or woman."

This is what we fight, when it comes to the higher purpose. This 'goodness'. I mean this is encouragement, right? Let me know if you don't want to reach for all that Christ has for you, by seeing you walk, obediently, behind these teachings contained within the Bible. It is all for you; your goodness. What I am attempting to convey: I believe the Holy Spirit is conveying to all of us is that the willingness to lay aside those issues that cause blockage has to happen. Sooner, rather than later. This is just one item we must dive into and come up with a better way of operating.

Now, verse 28. This verse has Paul, in my mind, looking at those individuals such as myself. The people that are listening, but not listening to hear the instruction. They will receive the instruction, no doubt. But, their intention upon first hearing is to find the 'loop hole' so they may continue on with what they were doing and feel no guilt about it because of the knowledge that is, now, present. Paul use of the word 'nevertheless'. If you go back to verse 2 you will see Paul uses that word there as well, and has the same implied use/meaning as verse 28. He is basically saying, if I can, "And by the way." Like a parent would say to a child, while turning to leave a room, after giving the instruction to vacuum the room, "And by the way, move the sofa to vacumm UNDER it. That is what I mean by WHOLE ROOM."

The trouble that is to be had in the flesh, Paul spares us because that would take us off the path of our greater goal. Service to Christ Jesus. We see that Paul states (verse 29) it is actually for us to hold ourselves, if married, as those who would have not a wife. Why? Because if we didn't have a wife or husband we would be concerned with the things of God, and how to serve Christ Jesus (verses 32-34).

All of this, the instruction on being married, 'touching' each other, and staying on track with serving God, is for our benefit. It is not to have us twirling around in a circle of doubt and confusion on any part of it. No! We are to be totally concerned with our obedient, service to God, through Christ Jesus. Concentrating on 'touching' someone takes your mind off that service. Simple. Yes, deep but good. The part about marriage I will speak on another time, and if I can get permission, maybe even give my own testimony about how marriage IS obedient, service to God and if we are not about that service FIRST, the marriage will not last.

Prayerfully, this bit of encouragement assists you on this day. I know it is alot to digest, but Christ Jesus has desire that we all are not lacking anything. For the day is fast approaching, when we all shall have to answer for what we have done, and not done. I know you don't want to hear the call, upon that day, and you are sitting with a hand full, 'touching' on someone.

Holla,
Yer Brova Catalyst