Always keep purity foremost in heart and mind. There are four different types of love. Among these are physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional. Each one of these can be nourished through different types of intimacy. However, the world we live in would rather us focus on the “sexual” aspect within relationships. Notice that wasn’t listed as a form of love above.
Some of the characteristics of sexual are carnal, erotic, venereal (indulgence), sensual, instinctual, and physical. Yes, there it is, one of our types of love. Though physical is a characteristic of sexual, it doesn’t always have to be sexual. Frequently people rely on being sexual because it is safe. There doesn’t always have to be commitment and there’s little to no deep connections.
Let’s take a look at some attributes that describe intimacy. Among these are closeness, togetherness, affinity, rapport, attachment, familiar, confidential, friendly, companionship, affection, warmth, understanding, and feeling. Don’t those make you feel so much safer and secure? I found a quote that explained it beautifully. “Being intimate involves the mixing of our life with another’s, a mingling of souls, a sharing of hearts. This is something we all long for because it’s how God made us. We were designed to connect.”
Our Heavenly Father designed us to crave connection. Why are we settling for the counterfeit option of just being sexual? In an Eternal Family class at my university, we discussed what drives people to choose the lesser option. One word. Fear. Fear of abandonment, rejection, losing control, abuse, failure, and shame. These fears are driven by none other than the adversary, and he preys on our own pride and selfishness. We were designed to achieve so much more. When creating intimacy within a marriage it is essential to make fidelity, respect/selflessness, sacredness (purity), and tenderness paramount. We were made for a higher law, and when we don’t allow ourselves to settle for what the world would suggest, we are able to reach the higher faculties and nobler traits of human nature.
Defining Normal 