Singlehood.

 Singleness season is usually hunting season. For believers, it's time to find Boaz. Or do lazy dating (and sexing if they are still living in sin, just keeping it real) until they are ready to marry (aka for Boaz). 
However, when you are walking in holiness with GOD, in intentional consecration, singleness and holiness quickly becomes spiritual warfare. 

The devil will never attack you in an area where you are not hungry. satan showed up in the wilderness when our LORD JESUS was hungry. satan did not tempt JESUS when he was being spotlighted during baptism at the Jordan River by GOD THE FATHER. He waited until JESUS was hungry, then presented HIM with options, all of which would separate JESUS from GOD, just for temporary comfort.

Most times, single people are asked not to have sex. The Church (rightly) hammers on this. But they stop there. Nobody says anything about what to do when you have already had sex and are single. There are myriads of sexual encounters single people in church engage in and are never discussed. 
It then becomes easier to shove it all under the carpet (unless someone gets careless and pregnant then the church is condemned). 

How would our LORD JESUS CHRIST handle sex, singlehood, and temptations? How did HE do it, after all, HE never married during HIS time as CHRIST on earth?

Let's look into how he handled the first sexual situation HE was confronted with in Scripture. The woman caught in the act of adultery. HE was asked whether she should be stoned. After all, it is the law. In today's parlance, the Church might have strict punishments for those who are engaged and get pregnant before wedlock. Some may be asked not to wear white. That way, without them saying a word, their sin is publicized. Or, they may be asked to delay marriage, thereby intensifying the chances that sex outside marriage between the couple may continue. And, lying, when asked it they have been having sex, just to jump the hurdle of people's expectations and be with their desired spouse.

I understand the Church trying to maintain purity. But could there be a better way? One that doesn't paint someone who sinned with such a public humiliation. JESUS did not say one word. HEinstead, bent down, wrote on the ground (some say HE was writing the sins of the accusers), then HE waited until they were gone before rising.
Not once did GOD shame her. GOD knew she knew what she did was wrong. HE simply said, "Go and sin no more."
No drama.
No committee.
No public shaming.
No slapping.
No suspension.
No removal from church duties.
Simply, go and sin no more.

Unless you are KING JESUS CHRIST, if you are a son/daughter of Adam, there is a sin "which easily besets you". If you married early, always have your spouse available to meet your sexual needs, then the challenges of singlehood, divorce, separation, widowhood, a prolonged sick spouse, single motherhood/fatherhood, delay in marriage, etc may not concern you. It is easy to paint people with one brush, write up expectations for them you would not be capable of upholding should your spouse travel for two weeks out of town. Belonging to any of these other categories beside 'Married', teaches you compassion, understanding, granting grace and seeking how to help.

Remember, GOD created all your organs, including the sensual ones. GOD knows exactly what sex is. HE created it. But for it to be enjoyed in exclusivity between a married man and woman. If GOD created it, HE can teach you how to manage it if you involve GOD into it. For the longest time, I brought my church face to GOD. Things changed when I began walking in consecration and invited GOD into a sexual situation. I saw GOD do a miracle. I know we think we know GOD. I can assure you, until you give ALL of you to GOD, you do not know HIM. But, you can choose to.

Everyone needs a life partner, whether they admit it or not. There are various reasons for singlehood (includes all the categories above, not just those who have never been married). It is important to express understanding, seek to incorporate your single people into your gatherings without making them feel less than. 

I remember when I turned 35 and GOD THE FATHER wanted to give me away in marriage. PAPA was so eager. HE wanted to see HIS baby girl [(me :) ) jealous yet? LOL) Forever GOD's baby girl, no adulting with GOD for me!] settled down in marriage. But I'd lived sinfully for about a decade for starters, so I didn't think I deserved PAPA going the extra mile for me. But secondly and most importantly, I was working for THE LORD and I begged PAPA for five years to put everything I had into what I was doing for HIM, then at 40, HE could give me away in marriage. The thing I was doing, was writing Christian fiction. I wrote until I hit that year five, and She Knows Her GOD was the culminating book of that season.

Oh my joy when the book was done, I turned toward my Heavenly Father, and said I was ready. Little did I know GOD was working on a reward for me! Listen, when you put GOD above your necessary needs, GOD will go above and beyond for you.

Today, I am so grateful that GOD takes care of me in every way. I lack nothing and my every need is met righteously. I am intentionally encouraging others who may find themselves single by choice or by force, to choose the path of holiness. It is tough at first, but when you call GOD into your incidents of need, you will watch GOD handle it like the Creator HE is. 
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Finally, JESUS gave the woman three things: Forgiveness, honor, a new chance. You can get a new chance today. HE did warn her not to sin again. I echo our LORD JESUS' words. If you have been living in sin, no matter how insignificant, our LORD says to you, "Go, and sin no more." 
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Never let the hunger for anything give the devil an advantage over you. If JESUS could endure 33 years without sex, at whatever point you choose to start living holy, ask JESUS how HE did it and HE will grant you grace for every season, including single seasons.

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