“Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” – 1 Corinthians 7:5
Sometimes spouses will use sex as a weapon by intentionally refusing to have sex. Many times, it is because of something their spouse is doing or not doing.
There are different ways to deal with issues that are happening outside the bedroom, but willfully choosing to deny sex as a form of manipulation is not the best option. When you do this, you are treading on dangerous ground and you have weaponized sex in your marriage.
This is not God’s intention, because sex is supposed to be utilized for love, but that would accomplish the opposite. Doing so can also open a door to temptation.
There will be times within your marriage when you may not be able to have sex, such as illness, separation, pregnancy, or even fatigue. If you are going to abstain, make sure you both have agreed to do it.
This does not apply to abusive marriages wherein it does not feel safe to have sex. But for everyone else, if you follow scripture, Paul says this should be done only for a short time and primarily to devote yourself to prayer. Outside of that, if you are able to have sex, then don’t deprive each other.
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