What does the Bible say about sex before marriage? This is a question that many people have been asking for centuries. While the Bible does not explicitly address all aspects of sexuality, it does, however, offer some pretty clear teachings about premarital sexual activity.
According to the Bible, sex before marriage is undeniably wrong. In the Old Testament, the village of Sodom was destroyed because of sexual immorality, and a lot of other judgmental language is used to describe premarital sex. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks clearly on the importance of abstaining from sexual activity until marriage, and makes it clear that any sexual activity outside of marriage is deemed sinful and wrong.
Theologians point out that if we go beyond what the Bible explicitly says about premarital sex, we can see that there are several points that the Bible makes about why one should wait to engage in sexual activity until marriage. First, sex reduces the likelihood of developing an emotionally healthy relationship. Secondly, it implies an imbalance of power in the relationship. Thirdly, sex before marriage makes children more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Fourthly, it can cause physical and psychological harm to oneself, even if unintentionally.
The Bible also speaks a lot about the importance of marriage and how couples should remain faithful to each other. This clearly implies the importance of waiting to engage in sexual activity until one is married. By waiting to have sex until the commitment of marriage, relationships become stronger and more meaningful, and there is less chance of hurting each other by engaging in premarital sex.
Even today, many theologians and other religious leaders stand by what the Bible teaches about sex before marriage. For example, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said: “When people can propose and make promises to each other in marriage, then sex is about the ultimate expression of love for each other. That’s what sex within marriage is about – mutual love and commitment, with an openness to the possibility of having children. That’s why sex before marriage is wrong.”
For those wanting to live a life that is in line with biblical teaching, the key point is to recognise that sex before marriage is wrong in God’s eyes and should be avoided no matter what. This is not to say that engaging in premarital sex disqualifies someone from discovering the abundant life promised in the Bible; rather, that the Bible clearly speaks out against such activities and expects us to practice self-control, even in matters of sexual expression.
What is Fornication?
Fornication is a biblical term that describes premarital sex or any other form of sexual activity outside of a marriage covenant. The term originates from the Latin fornicatus, which means ‘whoring around.’ While the term is often used interchangeably with adultery, fornication focuses solely on sexual activity between unmarried couples. The Bible mentions fornication in several passages, including Matthew 5:32, 1 Corinthians 6:18, and Romans 1:29.
It is important to note that fornication does not just apply to sexual intercourse. In the Bible, the term refers to any kind of sexual activity between two unmarried people, such as oral sex, anal sex, and more. As such, it is important to understand that the Bible’s teachings regarding abstinence until marriage also applies to these activities as well.
The Reason Behind the Bible’s Teaching
While many Christians simply accept the Bible’s teaching on premarital sex without really understanding the underlying reasons, digging deeper will reveal some interesting and powerful insights. One of the key points that the Bible makes is that sexual expression should be reserved for a committed relationship, as it is a deeply intimate act that can easily lead to harm and heartache if it is not done correctly.
The Bible also speaks about the need to remain emotionally and physically pure and undefiled before marriage. This means avoiding activities that can taint and corrupt one’s perception of marriage, romantic relationships, and God’s plan for sex and marriage. In this way, waiting to have sex until marriage is one of the best ways to ensure that a couple’s relationship remains strong and healthy in the long run.
Summary and Conclusion of Bible’s Teaching
The Bible clearly speaks out against premarital sex, and offers a variety of reasons to why this should be the case. The Bible speaks to the need to remain emotionally and physically pure and undefiled before marriage, and to remain faithful to one’s partner no matter what. The Bible also speaks to the potential harms that can come from engaging in premarital sex, and encourages couples to wait until marriage to experience the deepest forms of intimacy.
Practising Abstinence
For those wanting to practice abstinence until marriage, it is important to remember that it is possible to remain sexually pure and still have a vibrant, meaningful relationship. Abstinence doesn’t mean that one must forgo physical touch altogether – it simply means taking the time to get to know someone on a deeper level and avoiding intercourse until you are married. Taking part in activities such as hugging, holding hands, and even cuddling can all be part of a healthy and enjoyable relationship without leading to sex.
It is also important to remember that purity doesn’t just apply to sexual activity. Keeping one’s thoughts and words pure is also important, as it ensures that both partners in the relationship remain above reproach. Even if you don’t plan on having sex until marriage, talking about it or engaging in activities such as sexting can still be considered sinful in the eyes of the Bible.
Importance of Discipline and Self-Respect
More generally, many theologians argue that the same principles that govern our behaviour in the bedroom should also apply to other aspects of life. This means taking the time to learn self-discipline, practise self-respect, and build sound relationships with others. In the end, waiting to have sex until marriage is a sign of respect, both to oneself and the other person in the relationship.
Prevention and Early Intervention
Finally, it is important to remember that individuals and couples who are struggling with premarital sex can seek help. Seeking counselling can be an important step in understanding the biblical teaching on sex before marriage and learning how to practice self-control in relationships. It is also important to note that children can and should be taught about the biblical teaching on sex before marriage, as this knowledge can help them make wise decisions about sexuality as they grow up.
The Importance of Guidance and Support
The Bible makes it clear that engaging in premarital sex has severe consequences, both physically and spiritually. But it is important to remember that when it comes to matters of sexuality and relationships, one doesn’t have to work things out alone – there are numerous resources, organisations, and counsellors available to offer support and guidance on living a life in line with biblical teaching. With the help of guidance and support, individuals and couples can remain sexually pure, practice self-control, and build stable, healthy relationships.
