Covenant Reformed News – August 2005, Volume X, Issue 16
This article from Covenant Reformed News examines the theological and practical dangers of prolonged singleness, particularly regarding sexual temptation and sin. Drawing on Westminster Confession 24:2 and biblical passages, the author articulates three God-ordained reasons for marriage—companionship, procreation, and the remedy for sexual desire—while warning against how unchecked lust can lead to hasty marriages, unchaste dating practices, and fornication. The piece reflects a Reformed pastoral concern for helping unmarried believers navigate sexuality and relationships within a covenantal framework.
The Danger of Singleness (2) Avoiding fornication (I Cor. 7:2) is not the only reason for marriage, never mind the chief reason for marriage. The first reason for marriage is companionship and covenant friendship with one’s spouse (Mal. 2:14) which is a picture of the marriage union between Christ and His bride, the church. A second reason for marriage is to bring forth covenant children. In marriage God makes a man and a woman “one flesh” (Matt. 19:6). “And wherefore one? That he might seek a...