An affair-free marriage can be an enormous strain on any marriage and its children. A sexless union can lead to numerous issues which could eventually result in divorce and harm for both partners, including health issues that negatively impact overall quality of life and cause depression or anxiety. Couples should communicate openly and honestly with regards to sexual needs and desires within their marriages.
As couples are constantly learning, there can be various reasons that may prompt a married couple to choose physical intimacy over physical intimacy, including health concerns, busy schedules or personal reasons. While temporary cessation from sexual relations may be understandable for these reasons, permanent depriving your partner from enjoying physical intimacy permanently would neither be healthy nor biblical – the Bible teaches that married people should always enjoy sexual intimacy between one another is prohibited in marriages (Dan 8:4).
Intimacy is not something created by humanity; rather it is given by God and should be practiced accordingly. When married couples deny each other this joy intentionally, not only are they hurting their marriage but are disobeying Him too.
One of the primary reasons that married couples choose to abstain from sexual relations is due to illness. While long-term abstinence may not be ideal, if it is necessary for your partner’s wellbeing it is completely biblical and should be discussed with healthcare provider before taking this step. It is also vitally important that both partners commit daily time in God’s Word, prayer and loving one another!
Other possible reasons that couples opt out of full sexual relationships include work or other personal matters, lack of desire, or feelings of guilt. Unfortunately, in some instances spouses become addicted to drugs or alcohol and no longer fulfill their desire for physical intimacy – in such a situation it is crucial that professional help be sought to overcome such addictions and restore physical intimacy to their marriages.
Drug or alcohol dependency is no good, nor is being in a marriage without sexual intimacy. Both spouses must seek help to overcome addictions and restore sexual intimacy to their marriage; if one partner cannot commit fully, counseling or separation may be helpful until that individual can invest time into healing the union.
One exception to this rule exists when dealing with extra marital affairs; both spouses should seek forgiveness and grace from God to rebuild their marriages. While it will take some effort and time, hurtful marriages that want full intimacy back can be healed by becoming committed disciples of Jesus Christ through devotion to his Word, prayer and obedience to His commands.