Here's Why a Healthy Sex Life is a 'Weapon Against Satan' According to John Piper

Marriage
According to the "2014 State of Dating in America" report published by Christian Mingle and JDate, 61 percent of Christians said they would have sex before marriage. Stock Photo

Evangelical theologian John Piper has said that for married couples, a healthy sex life is a "weapon against Satan" because it "may free the mind for prayer and triumph over temptations to adultery or other kinds of sexual sin."

Piper recently answered a question from a reader asking about what the Apostle Paul meant 1 Corinthians 7:5: "Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."

"My question is, how do our sex lives interfere with our prayer lives?" the reader asked. "And when should there be a time in which a couple takes a break so as to devote themselves to prayer?"

The 71-year-old author and founder of desiringGod.org first explains that the verse contains a paradox: "Abstaining from sex for prayer is a weapon against Satan, and carrying on regular sex is a weapon against Satan," he says.

This paradox is important, Piper contends, because it shows that in God's pattern for "ordinary things" like sexual relations in marriage "all have their place in maintaining appropriate spiritual equilibrium that keeps us from being knocked off balance by Satan."

"[The] first thing to say about our sex lives is not that it interferes with our prayer lives, but that it may provide protection from satanic attack against our prayer lives," he writes. "A satisfied sexual pattern in marriage may free the mind for prayer and triumph over temptations to adultery or other kinds of sexual sin."

In his text, Paul is encouraging couples to "abstain from sexual pleasures for a season in order to pray and to show with our body's denial how desperate we are for an answer to this prayer", says Piper.

Other times, abstinence may not be as planned. For example, Piper says, "You get a call, a desperate call, and you just don't have the emotional and physical wherewithal to pursue intimacy that night. You just give yourself to prayer for your child or for your friend.

"Either way, planned or unplanned, the point is not that sex is evil or that it is a hindrance to the ordinary life of prayer," he concludes. "The point is that every legitimate pleasure we enjoy may be given up for a season to underline our intensity or desire for answered prayer or to show our emotional empathy for someone who is suffering."

In an earlier blog post, Piper, who married his wife Noel in 1966, further explained how faith uses sex against Satan: "For the people God leads into marriage, sexual relations are a God-ordained means of overcoming temptation to sin (the sin of adultery, the sin of sexual fantasizing, the sin of pornographic reading, etc.). Faith humbly accepts such gifts and offers thanks.

He added, "A married couple gives a severe blow to the head of that ancient serpent when they aim to give as much sexual satisfaction to each other as possible. It makes me just want to praise the Lord when I think that on top of all the joy that the sexual side of marriage brings, it also proves to be a fearsome weapon against our ancient foe."

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.