When the Bible Talks About Relational and Sexual Brokenness, What Does It Actually Mean? (Part 1)
People often hear the word brokenness and assume the Bible is just pointing fingers at bad behavior. That’s not really how Scripture approaches it. Biblically, brokenness isn’t defined by what went wrong first—it’s defined by what came before it.
To understand what’s broken, you have to look at what was whole.
In Genesis 2:25, we’re told that Adam and Eve were “naked and unashamed.” That line isn’t just about bodies. It describes total transparency—emotionally, spiritually, relationally. Nothing hidden. Nothing guarded. No fear of being fully seen.
Sex, in that original design, was meant to be a one-flesh union—two lives joined into one—inside a covenant. Not a moment. Not a transaction. A binding promise. Biblically, sex was designed to be a physical sign of something deeper: faithful, permanent, self-giving love. The way God loves His people.
Brokenness enters the story when the focus shifts.
In Genesis 3, humanity moves from trust to self-gratification. That shift fractures three relationships at once:
- Vertically: the connection with God breaks, leaving an inner void
- Horizontally: blame, shame, and conflict enter human relationships
- Internally: desires become disordered—we start asking people and sex to give us what only God can give
From a biblical perspective, sexual and relational brokenness isn’t just “doing bad things.” It’s trying to satisfy a legitimate hunger for connection in illegitimate ways.
That shows up in different forms:
- Objectification: treating someone as a means to an end rather than an image-bearer of God
- Fragmentation: becoming physically “one” without a covenant strong enough to hold it together
- Betrayal: breaking covenant, which mirrors humanity’s spiritual unfaithfulness toward God
- Idolatry: expecting a relationship or sexual experience to save you, complete you, or give you worth
Paul puts weight on this in 1 Corinthians 6:18, saying sexual sin is uniquely “against one’s own body.” Not because it’s the worst sin—but because it touches something sacred. Human sexuality was meant to point beyond itself, toward the self-giving love of Christ. When it turns inward, it becomes a broken signpost.
The good news? Scripture never treats brokenness as the final word.
Redemption—literally “to buy back”—is always on the table. Repentance isn’t groveling; it’s a U-turn. Grace isn’t denial; it’s restoration. No amount of history puts someone beyond God’s ability to mend.
Brokenness is what happens when we try to force a square peg into a round hole. Wholeness comes from returning desire to its rightful place.
(Part 2 next month, March)
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