When I logged on to myjoyonline a few weeks ago, I saw a news item captioned ”Regular Sex Prolongs Life.” It was one of the conspicuous headlines that caught my attention. I had seen such stories several times. But it was news to many. It was one of the most read stories and came tops in terms of the most emailed stories. I wasn’t shocked to see that it was one story that was widely shared.

In my mind’s eyes, I could see those young men grinning upon reading the headline and subsequently reading the entire story that claimed to have scientific evidence. Their “Chrife” girlfriends whose motto is: “No Sex Before Marriage” must see this story. One reader was so excited he left a comment: “…I wished all Ghanaian women would read this.”

My beef or mutton with the story? I do not challenge the scientific evidence. Neither do I condemn sex. My opinion is that not all sex prolongs life. Indeed some sex not only end lives but it also kills dreams and the life after death. Sex is meant for the married. It is meant to be enjoyed by those legally entitled to it. It is these people whose lives can be prolonged by regular sex if the scientific findings are anything to go by.

Morality seems to have lost its cherished position in our culture and people (the youth and grey hairs alike) mate like wild beasts. They have sex at parties, beaches, in cars, everywhere. In hostels of tertiary institutions, it has assumed a different dimension. A group of guys are seated on a mounted in the dormitory, which is about the size of lotto kiosk. They are talking about Chelsea and Manchester United. In the lower bed below, a piece of cloth that hangs sinfully is enough to separate them from love makers who seem to be as far and detached from their colleagues as though they were on the moon. They don’t care a grain of gari about who sees and says what. After all what? It’s the pleasure that matters.

Sex does not only prolong life. It also kills when it is illicit, as has become the norm. The Holy Book admonishes us in 1st Corinthians 6:18-21 to “shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not of your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

You may not be a “believer” and this may not make much sense to you. But one thing is clear. Fornication can destroy your body. Stealing will not give you AIDS but sex can and will definitely lead you to your grave, where your bones will be buried if you live anyhow. So don’t be fascinated when researchers say regular sex prolongs life. That has not authorized you to go about mating like a shameless mammal; “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him [and of course her] (1st Corinthians 3:17) There is no a more deadly warning than this.

Apart from invoking God’s wrath, sexual immorality has brought a lot worldly famous achievers onto their knees. I catalogued these individuals in a previous article titled: “The Sex Scandal: Great Lamptey Mills is Liverpool Fan” and will not repeat the endless list here.

When I was writing that piece, little did I know that one of the greatest men in the world was about to fall prey to such sex scandals. I’m talking about the world’s richest sports personality, Tiger Woods. Recently I watched the guilt-conscripted star and role model of millions across the world confessing at a press conference that was broadcast around the world. He made a lot of sensible revelations:

“I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to,” he noted. “I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled. Thanks to money and fame, I didn't have to go far to find them [women].

I was wrong. I was foolish. I don't get to play by different rules. The same boundaries that apply to everyone apply to me. I brought this shame on myself. I hurt my wife, my kids, my mother, my wife's family, my friends, my foundation, and kids all around the world who admired me.”



Moral breaches are subjective and are sometimes not illegal. But Tiger Woods emphasized the importance of morality and decency.

“I once heard, and I believe it's true, it's not what you achieve in life that matters; it's what you overcome. Achievements on the golf course are only part of setting an example. Character and decency are what really count.”



Indeed, character and decency count! Anytime you hear that sex scandal has rocked a well- respected role model, don’t think far. If you cannot tame your libidinal drive, it will tame you, and by the time it finishes with you, you’ll have no image to protect. It has bedeviled others and you are not superhuman. The only way to avoid it is to “present your body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” You either have to do it or God’s destruction will visit you very soon. In many forms.

It is difficult, so lean on God and always remember that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Don’t wait until you are married. If you cannot tame that restless devil between your thighs (whether you are a young man or a lady) before marriage, trying to tame it after marriage will be more difficult than singlehandedly carrying a man with a broken waist. The young men, especially, must learn this.

As for the beautiful ones they are born. Sometimes you see some of them and you are tempted to ask whether God really created all of us in his own image. You just have to learn to tame yourself, else the next spotlight may be on YOU.



Credit: Manasseh Azure Awuni [www.maxighana.com] email: azureachebe2@yahoo.com

The Writer is the SRC President of the Ghana Institute of Journalism. To read more of his writings, visit www.maxighana.com