Lesson 41 Explore 3: Is Oral Sex Really Sex? | Young People Ask
YOUNG PEOPLE ASK Is Oral Sex Really Sex?
According to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, about half of all interview respondents from age 15 to 19 have engaged in oral sex. “If you talk to teens [about oral sex] they’ll tell you it’s not a big deal,” says Sharlene Azam, the author of the book Oral Sex Is the New Goodnight Kiss. “In fact, they don’t consider it sex.”
What do you think?
Answer the following questions yes or no.
1. Can a girl get pregnant as a result of giving oral sex? Yes No
1. Yes
2. No
2. Does oral sex have any health risks? Yes No
1. Yes
2. No
3. Is oral sex really sex? Yes No
1. Yes
2. No
What are the facts?
Compare your answers with those that follow.
1. Can a girl get pregnant as a result of giving oral sex? Answer: No. That is one reason why many people conclude-wrongly-that oral sex is harmless.
2. Does oral sex have any health risks? Answer: Yes. A person who engages in oral sex can contract hepatitis (A or B), genital warts, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, and syphilis.
3. Is oral sex really sex? Answer: Yes. Any conduct involving the genitals of another person-including intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, and masturbating another person-constitutes sex.
Why does it matter?
Consider several scriptures in the Bible that relate to the topic of oral sex.
The Bible says: “This is the will of God, that you should... abstain from sexual immorality.”-
(1 Thessalonians 4.3: For this is the will of God, that you should be holy and abstain from sexual immorality.)
The original-language word translated “sexual immorality” refers to all forms of intimate conduct outside of marriage, including intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, and masturbating another person. A person who engages in sexual immorality can reap serious consequences, the most tragic of which is a damaged friendship with God.-
(1 Peter 3.12: For the eyes of Jehovah are on the righteous, and his ears listen to their supplication, but the face of Jehovah is against those doing bad things.”)
The Bible says: “Whoever practices sexual immorality is sinning against his own body.”-
(1 Corinthians 6.18: Flee from sexual immorality! Every other sin that a man may commit is outside his body, but whoever practices sexual immorality is sinning against his own body.)
Oral sex can have harmful physical and spiritual consequences. It can also take an emotional toll. “Feeling used, regretful, or vulnerable is not unique to vaginal sex,” says the book Talking Sex With Your Kids. “All of the bad emotions someone might experience from having intercourse in the wrong situation can be experienced from having any type of sex in the wrong situation. Sex is sex.”
The Bible says: “I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit yourself.”-
(Isaiah 48.17: This is what Jehovah says, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, The One teaching you to benefit yourself, The One guiding you in the way you should walk.)
Do you believe that God’s laws regarding sex really benefit you? Or do you think that they restrict you? To help you answer those questions, think of a busy highway with posted speed limits, traffic signals, and stop signs. Do you view those signs and signals as a restriction or as a protection? What would happen if you-and other drivers-ignored them?
CAPTION: Traffic laws restrict your freedom, but they protect you. Similarly, God’s laws place restrictions on you, but they safeguard you
It is similar with God’s standards. If you ignore them, you are sure to reap what you sow.
(Galatians 6.7: Do not be misled: God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a person is sowing, this he will also reap;)
“The more you abandon your beliefs and values and engage in activities you don’t feel right about, the less you’ll respect yourself,” says the book Sex Smart. In contrast, if you live in accord with God’s standards, you will show true moral character. More than that, you will maintain a clean conscience.-
(1 Peter 3.16: Maintain a good conscience, so that in whatever way you are spoken against, those who speak against you may be put to shame because of your good conduct as followers of Christ.)
[End of article.]