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Teaching sexuality is, first and foremost, a family’s responsibility. Yesterday we considered how a family protects and honors their children who remain pure. But what does the family do when a child gives in to temptation?
Song of Solomon 8:8-10
We have a little sister, and she has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister on the day when she is spoken for? If she is a wall, we will build on her a battlement of silver, but if she is a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar. I was a wall, and my breasts were like towers; then I was in his eyes as one who finds peace.
“If she is a door,” that is, if she is promiscuous and open to the advances of men, we will “enclose her with boards of cedar.” When our sons and daughters demonstrate that they cannot handle their sexuality, they are to be restricted. This is never to be abusive, and, of course, the language here is figurative. But the point is that as parents, we must protect our children from hurting themselves. We must love our children enough to be involved in their sexual training.
Notice, at the end of the passage, Solomon’s bride says, “I was a wall.” She has remained strong and refused to compromise. She says that her “breasts were like towers.” This is not a physical description. She is saying that her purity is the foundation of self-respect. Thus, she says, I am not bringing into my relationship the baggage of past sexual sin. Instead, she brings contentment to her husband.
Father, may we teach our children well. Guard their hearts and their bodies. Help them be free of sinful baggage and bring contentment to their spouse. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
My parents hurt me the most by never “teaching” me how to not hurt myself, abandoning me emotionally at an early age and eventually physically abandoning me at 18. The wall they built around me “to protect “ me and the lack of instruction only fueled the sinful nature already in me and pointed me in a very bad direction at an early age. But 20 years later the Lord has used their negligence to help me understand his love, grace, and mercy in ways I never thought I could. PTL. He truly does work in mysterious ways and His strength truly is perfected in weaknesses. I pray I can be a light to my own children in their lives and not a stumbling block. Thanks for today’s devotional… this one hits home for me personally.