Dr John Mining has urged married couples to intentionally protect and nurture sexual intimacy, describing it as an important part of emotional connection, covenant unity and a healthy marriage.

In a message on marriage and intimacy, Dr Mining said sexual intimacy within marriage should not be viewed merely as physical pleasure, but as part of the deeper emotional, relational and spiritual bond between husband and wife.

Drawing from biblical teachings, he cited Hebrews 13:4, which calls on believers to honour marriage and keep the marriage bed undefiled, as well as 1 Corinthians 7:3–5, which emphasises mutual responsibility, consideration and agreement between spouses.

Dr Mining said healthy intimacy can strengthen emotional connection by creating room for affection, vulnerability, acceptance and closeness between couples.

He also stressed the importance of mutual giving, warning against turning intimacy into a tool for manipulation, punishment, pressure or entitlement.

“Sexual intimacy in marriage is more than pleasure. It is connection, affection, covenant, communication and mutual giving,” Dr Mining said.

According to Dr Mining, neglecting intimacy can contribute to emotional distance, resentment, marital division and increased vulnerability to temptation. However, he cautioned that temptation should never be used as an excuse for unfaithfulness, urging couples instead to communicate and address challenges within their marriage.

He encouraged couples to make deliberate efforts to spend time together, communicate openly, show affection, pray together and pursue one another despite the pressures of work, parenting, ministry and other responsibilities.

Dr Mining further called on married couples to protect their relationships from emotional affairs, secrecy, pornography and inappropriate relationships outside marriage.

“Guard your eyes. Guard your heart. Guard your marriage,” he said, urging couples to establish healthy boundaries and seek wise counsel when facing challenges.

He also highlighted the need to address unresolved anger, betrayal, rejection, shame and emotional wounds, noting that such issues can affect intimacy and the overall health of a marriage.

Quoting Proverbs 5:18–19 and Song of Solomon, Dr Mining said the Bible celebrates love, affection and delight between husband and wife rather than treating marital intimacy as something shameful.

He likened marriage to a garden that must be continuously watered, protected and cultivated.

“A marriage is like a garden. It does not remain beautiful simply because it was planted. It must be watered, protected, cultivated and tended,” he said.

Dr Mining urged couples not to wait until their relationships are seriously damaged before taking action, identifying neglect, busyness, bitterness, unforgiveness, secrecy, poor communication, lack of affection and taking one another for granted as some of the “little foxes” that can gradually weaken a marriage.

He said the home should be a place of love, peace, honesty, safety and strength, encouraging couples to pursue forgiveness, communication, faithfulness and intentional intimacy.

“Guard the gate. Protect the covenant. Honor the marriage,” Dr Mining said.

His message comes as conversations around healthy marriages increasingly emphasise the importance of communication, emotional safety, mutual respect and shared responsibility between spouses.

Dr Mining concluded by urging married couples to protect what they have built, pursue one another with love and ensure that intimacy remains part of a broader commitment to friendship, faithfulness, companionship and covenant love.