You don't need sex

Our sex drives, especially for men, are a very strong force.  It is a bioligical urge (as opposed to lust) that is most potent during the teenage years, but remains with us throughout our lifetime. There are many physical effects tied to our sex drives.  Environment, mental state, diet, age and fitness levels can all have various effects on it. 

But even though our sex drive is similar to thirst and hunger, that does not mean that it is a necessity of life. No one has ever died because they didn't have sex.  Hunger and the sex drive are very similar.  When we attempt to diet or fast our flesh has an interesting reaction about an hour after we miss the first meal. It panics.  It goes through the 5 stages of grief -

5 stages of grief (and hunger):

1. Denial - this isn't going to work
2. Anger - what are you doing? I'm dying!
3. Bargaining - just a little snack won't hurt anything
4. Depression - this sucks, I hate this
5. Acceptance - that wasn't so bad

Our bodies function similarly with sex.  A married man will go through similar stages at about a week to 10 days. 

5 stages of lack of sex:

1. Denial - I can't live without sex!, I need it.
2. Anger -  Why does my wife hate me? Doesn't she see me suffering here.
3. Bargaining - Please have sex with me, I'll do anything
4. Depression - My life is over, this sucks, I wish I was castrated.
5. Acceptance - OK apparently I don't need to have sex, it's something I can actually control.

The point here is not that sex is unimportant, it is very important and should happen on a regular basis within the confines of traditional marriage.  It should be something that both spouses agree to make a priority and also to be willing to give and give up for each other (1 Corinthians 7:3-5). 

 

The point is that sex in and of itself is not a need.  Like every other yearning of the flesh (hunger, pride, etc) the sex drive needs to be controlled.  Otherwise we become like the unbelievers, being led around by the flesh, only thinking about how we can fulfill the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)

When I had fed them to the full,
They committed adultery
And trooped to the harlot’s house.“They were well-fed lusty horses,
Each one neighing after his neighbor’s wife.“Shall I not punish these people,” declares the LORD,
“And on a nation such as this
Shall I not avenge Myself?
- Jeremiah 5:7-9

LINK:Do men need sex?