By Dr Harvey Ward
8 min read
Luke’s Journal July 2026 | Vol.31 No.2 | Sexuality
Imagine a society where men controlled their sexual impulses and functions in accordance with New Testament-described principles! What could that look like?
Let’s back up a little and start from the beginning…
Circumcision, physical and spiritual
In the Old Testament, a man starts his life with a mark on his genitals, a dedication by his parents to rear him under God’s instruction.
Circumcision, physical (Gen 17:10 “This will be a sign of the covenant between me and you”) and spiritual (Dt 10:16 “Circumcise your hearts, therefore…”), is where a man physically carries the emblem of a covenantal lifelong responsibility to God, a daily reminder of this organ and his mastery over it bringing honour to God, health, longevity, vitality and fertility for him as its steward. His sexual impulses are recognised, his vulnerability understood, and his ruling over them yields good governance, measured self-control and directed energy.
By contrast, in the New Testament, circumcision physically counts for nothing but rather refers to a process of the heart inwardly (Col 2:11 ”In Him you were also circumcised in the putting off of the sinful nature… with the circumcision done by Christ…”; Rom 2:29 “…nor is circumcision merely outward and physical… but circumcision is …of the heart by the Spirit…”).
A setting apart of the deepest impulses of a man to the government of God in his life. In the handling of his penis daily for urination, he is presented with a constant reminder of this relationship.
God created the two sexes
A man would start his journey through to manhood, firstly taught by his parents, with a clear understanding of why God created the two sexes.
These two sexes are physiologically, biologically and emotionally complementary: to “leave (their respective families) and cleave (physically and exclusively to each other) to procreate, form families and “subdue the earth and fill it”. This was affirmed by Jesus (Matt 19:4 “Haven’t you heard …that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female?”).
As young men, each cohort and peer group would commit together to grow up in a God-centred program, helping and encouraging each other to understand the broader role men and women have in a well-functioning society. Ideally, the modelled family life into which they are born should match this teaching – one husband, one wife under God, where children flourish, socialise and learn, the building blocks of every nation.
“A more recent example is Edward Cullen in the best-seller series, The Twilight Saga. Every girl wants a boyfriend like Edward!”
A more recent example is Edward Cullen in the best-seller series, The Twilight Saga(1). Every girl wants a boyfriend like Edward! This hugely successful story, written by Stephenie Meyer in the 2000s, centred around a hero with intoxicating power under restraint. Sure, he was a vegetarian vampire, but by “drawing the blood” of his desired love, Bella Swan, he would forfeit his life eternal and die with her. So, he fiercely loved Bella and protected her with superpowers despite obvious huge physical temptation, avoiding sexual conquest until a dreamy wedding! (Something vaguely like the Divine Romance between Jesus the bridegroom and us His bride in waiting for a final Wedding Celebration!)
How would society look if men controlled their sexual impulses?
If men controlled their sexual impulses, women would not only feel safe, they would actually be safe. Young women could walk the streets without fear of sexual harassment, assault and rape. Young men could be honourable in their courting and interaction, reserving displays of affection or interest for parentally sanctioned outings, leaving no suspicion for furtive sexual activity. Women would feel honoured, cared for and treated with respect and kindness by men who would make every effort to maintain both their own reputations and their integrity.
Men would recognise and avoid the effect of drugs or alcohol on the loosening of their self-control of sexual urges. Two obviously poor examples in the Old Testament are Noah and Lot. Noah’s son, Ham, was cursed (as was his son Canaan) for uncovering his father’s nakedness. Some scholars think he may even have had sexual relations with Noah. Others think that Ham may have sexually assaulted Noah’s wife (uncovered Noah’s nakedness) and conceived Canaan – hence the directed curse (Gen 9:20-24 “He became drunk… and lay uncovered in his tent. Ham …saw his father’s nakedness.” (2)).
Lot impregnated his daughters while he was so inebriated he didn’t know it had happened – Gen 19:33 “…that night they got him to drink wine… He was not aware of it, when she lay down or got up… so Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father”. These were men who let alcohol go to their heads with devastating consequences.
“These were men who let alcohol go to their heads with devastating consequences.”
Men would remain virgins until marriage and, of course, women would be the same in most circumstances (except in the case of spousal death). Men would remain sexually faithful, and so extramarital affairs would cease, unwanted pregnancies would be avoided, abortion rates would drastically drop, and sexually transmitted infections would most likely disappear in a generation. Fallopian tubal disease would dramatically decrease, along with ectopic pregnancy.
The Church at Corinth received letters from the Apostle Paul. In the first, he addresses the former lifestyles some of the believers continued in. He urges them to live a life worthy of the gospel and praises them for their example to the world (1 Cor 6:9-11 “And this is what some of you were. But you were washed… sanctified… justified in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ by the Spirit of our God.”)!
Divorce due to marital unfaithfulness would disappear with all its massive societal costs – homes split asunder; assets haggled over with legal costs depleting family resources.
Government programs to support single-parent families would be less needed. Less and less psychological support would be needed for traumatised children, which drain resources and social work hours.
“The vices that prey on men’s vulnerabilities would find no market. Prostitution would disappear since it would be unnecessary.”
The vices that prey on men’s vulnerabilities would find no market. Prostitution would disappear since it would be unnecessary. Paedophilia and child sexual abuse would disappear. And children would be safe. Sexual confusion would fade.
The porn industry would collapse; the film-making industry would be less and less appealing to the target audience most vulnerable, i.e. young adolescent men. Men would be taught to avoid sexual triggering – training themselves to avert their gaze like Job from enticement and temptations such as suggestive advertising (Job 31:1,4: “I have made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl” –“Does He not see my ways and count my every step?”).
“Sexual harassment at work would evaporate, and women could feel less objectified and cautious in public.”
Advertising would change; books would be left unread if their content explored ungodly themes. Sexual harassment at work would evaporate, and women could feel less objectified and cautious in public. Biblical dress codes for modesty and decorum would present women less as sexual objects and more as expressions of God’s brilliant diversity, adorned to accentuate God’s image in women rather than eroto-centric fashion (I Timothy 2:9 “…women to dress modestly with decency and propriety…”).
The cost savings to society for men with God-governed sexual function would be such that they would probably provide for every social program needed by the rest of society.
A society in which men harnessed their sexuality in God’s design would stabilise the culture, strengthen the family and provide a solid foundation for the community and nation at large.
Isn’t that what women would really want?!
Dr Harvey Ward is a retired OBGYN who studied in South Africa; practised in Cape Town, Canada and then for 20 years in Coffs Harbour, NSW, until medical retirement in 2025. He is married to Kathy, a physiotherapist, has 3 children and 6 grandchildren. He has been a CMDFA member for 45 yrs and previously an Associate Professor conjoined with UNSW, teaching medical students and registrars. He writes poetry and is formally studying Jesus’ burial shroud. His dreams of being a rock star are fading. He co-runs a YouTube apologetics channel and is a Saline process trainer and trainee editor with Luke’s Journal.
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References:
All Bible references from NIV ) New York Int Bible Society, New Jersey.
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/Twilight-Saga The Twilight Saga is a series of vampire-themed novels for teenagers written by American author Stephenie Meyer. The series tells the story – fraught with danger, suspense, and searing passion – of teenager Bella Swan and her vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen.
- His brothers discreetly honour their father, covering him to avoid gazing at his genitalia (an act of extreme disrespect). Ham’s offspring is cursed for his lewdness. Some scholars suggest Ham may have physically abused or had intercourse with Noah; others suggest Ham abused Noah’s wife and conceived Canaan. The debate is active.