Apparently we have Alanis Morissette to thank for the expression, “Friends with benefits,” but of course, the concept has been around for ages. As with most modern expressions, it sounds benign and even positive. But, when sin is given a new name, it is still sin.
God created man, created woman, created marriage and created sex (Gen. 2:18-25). God placed the gift of sex exclusively in “the marriage bed” (Heb. 13:4). To take that gift outside of the bed of a husband and his wife is fornication every single time (1 Thess. 4:3-5).
A true friend will not lead one into sin, but will urge one away from sin (Prov. 12:26; 27:17). How shameful to use the word “benefits” to describe a sin that will prevent one from inheriting the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10). Let us be the friend and choose friends who will seek the best, spiritual, eternal interests of the other (Phil. 2:3-4), which is what true Biblical love is (Prov. 17:17). True friends help each other grow closer to God and to our eternal home in heaven!