In a very rudimentary way a man’s life consists of a balance of faith and behavior. Faith, simply stated, consists of what a man believes. Behavior is the action that results from what men believe. Faith is the sum of thoughts, emotions and feelings all displayed through behavior.* One of the most defining behaviors of a man is his sexual behavior.**

Reckless sexual behavior leads to sexual disease. In the U.S. 50% of sexually active adults have a sexually transmitted infection at some point in their life (CDC, 2008). STI’s (previously referred to as STDs) are common and a sexually active person is more likely to catch a disease than they are to avoid one. In an ideal world, HIV and other diseases can be prevented by abstinence and marital monogamy, but the truth is most people report having multiple sexual encounters before marriage.

Here are a few quick facts about STI’s and how they relate to you:

• 1. Condoms DO NOT protect you from all sexually transmitted infections.
  • Many STI’s are spread through body fluid which often times spreads beyond the protection of a condom.
  • You CAN and will catch an STI even with a condom.

• 2. Oral sex is sex and you CAN contract serious STI’s from oral sex.
  • Syphillis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes and Genital/Oral warts can all be spread through oral sex.

• 3. STI’s CAN lead to serious complications even if detected early.
  • Symptoms of many infections can reoccur even after multiple treatments.
  • HPV (Genital warts) is the most common of cervical cancer in women and penile cancer in men. HPV is not curable!!

• 4. You CAN NOT look at someone and tell if the have an STI:
  • Many STI’s have symptoms that can not be seen by the naked eye. For example, a man or women may have the HPV (genital warts) without having any visible warts. The DNA of the HPV (genital warts) virus lives in the body fluid of the vagina and penis.

• 5. Birth control DOES NOT protect you against an STI:
  • As a matter of a fact you are more likely to contract and STI than you are to get a girl pregnant.

Remember these are fast facts STI symptoms and treatment is complicated and it varies form person to person. If you are sexually active outside of the confines of a biblically sound marriage, then the most important thing for you to do is to first repent and pray asking God for salvation and deliverance. Secondly, get checked there is no substitution for knowing where you stand. Lastly, stop your damaging behavior. You only get one body (in this life) take care of it***.

Scriptural Reference:

*Hebrews 11:1

** James 2:18
***1 Corinthians 6:18-19

If you have any questions please contact your health care provider or email Tony Weaver @ tony@whatupman.com

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