The Bible compares sexual desire to fire through the word 'burn' in 1 Corinthians 7:9 — it is better to marry than to burn.
Paul's phrase pictures sexual desire as a burning force that must be controlled. Les Feldick explains that when a person cannot contain these desires and is tempted toward sexual immorality, marriage is God's provision. Under God's restraints, sex is honorable and sanctified; outside those restraints, it brings destruction and dishonors a believer's union with Christ.
1 Corinthians 7:9 — This is the verse that directly links sexual desire with burning — the basis for the comparison of sex to fire.
The apostle Paul uses the imagery of burning to describe the power of sexual desire. In 1 Corinthians 7:9 he says, 'But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.' This verse makes the direct connection between sexual passion and fire. Scripture also teaches that marriage is honorable and the marriage bed is undefiled: 'Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge' (Hebrews 13:4). Paul warns that sexual immorality is a sin against one's own body: 'Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body' (1 Corinthians 6:18). In Romans 1:24, Paul describes how God gave people up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts when they exchanged the truth of God for a lie.
Les Feldick explains that the sex drive is powerful and God-given, but it is not to be abused. He directly addresses the burning imagery in 1 Corinthians 7:9: when a person cannot control their sexual desires and is tempted to commit adultery, Paul says it is better to marry than to burn. In Les's teaching, 'burn' refers to being consumed by uncontrolled sexual desire. Les also teaches that the marriage relationship is holy and sanctified. A believer who commits sexual immorality is adulterating his position in union with Christ. God put His stamp of approval on the marriage relationship, and the marriage bed is undefiled. When people twist God-given things, God gives them up to lower levels of uncleanness. Finally, Les uses fire in a separate way to describe how believers' works will be tested at the Bema Seat.
Les explains the phrase in 1 Corinthians 7:9 directly: if a person cannot control their sexual desires, and it reaches the place where they are tempted to commit adultery, then Paul says it is better for them to get married than to burn. The burning is the consuming strength of sexual desire that drives a person toward immorality. Marriage is God's remedy for that temptation.
According to Les, the sex drive is powerful, but God put it there for a purpose. It is not to be abused any more than anything else. If two marriage partners agree to refrain for a period of time, that is permissible, but they should not overdo it. They should come back together so that Satan does not tempt one or the other to go outside the marriage relationship. Paul further says that every man has his proper gift of God — one after this manner, and another after that.
Les teaches that if a believer commits sexual immorality, he is adulterating his position with Christ — the one with whom he has been brought into union. The family and marriage relationship is holy and sanctified, so extramarital relationships are outside God's will. Paul goes so far as to say that he who commits fornication sins against his own body. Les also notes that a true believer can still choose to let sin reign in his mortal body, and God will then discipline him — but this does not mean he is no longer saved.
No. Les teaches that fire is also a picture of testing at the Bema Seat of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 3, fire gives light and heat and shows how much of a believer's works survive. Wood, hay, and stubble will go up in a puff of smoke, while gold, silver, and precious stones are enhanced by the fire. This is a separate use of the fire metaphor — it is not about sexual desire but about how works are judged.
Immorality Adulterates Union with Christ
Les teaches that when a believer commits sexual immorality, he is adulterating his union with Christ; the marriage relationship is holy and sanctified.
The Sex Drive: Powerful and God-Given
Les teaches that the sex drive is powerful and has a God-given purpose, and that married couples should agree in their times of abstinence and come back together to avoid Satan's temptation.
Marriage Bed Is Undefiled
Les affirms God's stamp of approval on marriage and the marriage bed, quoting Hebrews 13:4 that the bed is undefiled.
God-Given Things Perverted
Les explains that man has taken God-given things and used them under Satan's influence, changing God's truth into a lie and descending into still lower behavior.
Discipline, Not Loss of Salvation
Les teaches that a true believer can still let sin reign in their body, but God will discipline them — not un-save them.
Fire Testing Works at the Bema
Les uses fire in 1 Corinthians 3 to show how believers' works will be tested — gold, silver, and precious stones survive while wood, hay, and stubble burn.
God Gives Up to Uncleanness
Les notes that God gave people up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, showing a downward step in sexual immorality.
Better to Marry Than to Burn
Les directly explains that 'burn' in 1 Corinthians 7:9 refers to being unable to control sexual desires and being tempted to commit adultery; marrying is the better course.
1 Corinthians 7:9: But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
This verse directly connects sexual desire with burning and is the source of the fire/sex comparison.
1 Corinthians 6:18: Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
Shows why sexual immorality is unique — it is a sin against one's own body, as Les emphasizes for believers.
Hebrews 13:4: Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Gives the positive side — the marriage bed is undefiled — and warns of judgment for the sexually immoral.
Romans 1:24: Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Describes what happens when people reject God's truth — He gives them up to degrading sexual passions.
1 Corinthians 3:13: Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
Shows a separate biblical use of fire — testing believers' works at the judgment seat.
1 Corinthians 7:5: Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
Paul's instruction to married couples about restraint and reuniting to avoid temptation, which Les teaches.
Romans 6:12: Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Paul's command to believers not to let sexual lust reign in their bodies.
Yes, in 1 Corinthians 7:9 Paul uses the word 'burn' to describe uncontrolled sexual desire. Les Feldick explains that this means being unable to contain one's sexual desires and being tempted toward immorality, so marriage is the better path.
Les teaches that 'burn' refers to the inner burning of sexual desire that a person cannot control. Rather than let that desire drive them into adultery, Paul says it is better to marry.
Les teaches that the family and marriage relationship is holy and sanctified. Extramarital relationships adulterate a believer's position in Christ, and God's word says the marriage bed is undefiled but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Les describes the Bema Seat as the place where believers' works are tested by fire. Wood, hay, and stubble will burn up, while gold, silver, and precious stones will be enhanced.
Watch the Teaching: Your Body Is the Temple of the Holy Spirit — 1 Corinthians 6:19