What Does The Bible Say About Touching Before Marriage
The Bible is the world’s oldest sacred book and it has been used by millions of people almost since the beginning of time. It’s no surprise then, that it has a great deal to say about touch between two unmarried people.The most prominent sentiment expressed in the Bible about touch before marriage is to absolutely avoid it. This scripture is true in a spiritual sense, as well as a practical one, since sex before marriage carries a host of potential health and psychological risks.
The Bible doesn’t just give a black and white, do-this-don’t-do-that type of advice as other ancient texts do. While it does ask followers to refrain from premarital activities that are sexual in nature, including any form of touching, it also encourages us to show love and devotion for one another, without necessarily engaging in any genital-to-genital contact.
A great example of this is The Song of Solomon, which is filled with lyricism about two unmarried individuals who care deeply for each other. They express their love through words, not necessarily by touching overtly sexual areas. As this book shows, there are acceptable alternatives to physical touch.
It is important to also mention here that physical activities such as hand-holding or embracing should also be avoided in order to maintain purity. In a romantic setting, these can quickly lead to more intimate or sexual contact and should thus be avoided unless you are wed.
The Bible gives another reason why touching before marriage should be avoided. In the Book of Proverbs, it says that while lovers should be kind towards one another, they must also “guard their hearts”. This indicates the importance of not allowing desires and passions to overtake us and lead us astray. The only way to truly guard our hearts is to refrain from any form of physical contact until after we are married.
It is also important to remember that Christian teaching does not exclude love and affection from relationships. On the contrary, the Bible encourages us to be loyal to and love our partners, no matter if they are unmarried or not. It is simply suggesting that we must remain chaste before marriage and exercise self control when it comes to passions and desires.
If two unmarried people commit to remaining celibate, it allows for greater emotional intimacy and mutual trust to develop over time. This will only serve to solidify the relationship and lead to a healthier, more satisfying marriage.
Sexual Sin and Physical Intimacy
When it comes to touching before marriage, the Bible has a clear message: do not engage in sexual sin. In the Old Testament, sexual intercourse before marriage is a grievous sin, and one that comes with dire repercussions. In addition, in the New Testament, Jesus even warns his followers that they should be “free from the lust of the flesh”. This shows just how serious sinning with the flesh is. Clearly then, the Bible is adamant about not engaging in any sort of physical affection before marriage.
However, it is important to remember that sin is not just physical. We must take care to also maintain a pure heart and a pure mind. Too often, people fall for the idea that it’s okay to give in to physical desires, as long as it does not go beyond a certain point. What matters, however, is what is in your heart and mind. Even if an unmarried couple never touch one another, if their thoughts are impure and immoral, they have still engaged in sin.
Therefore, in order to truly honor God, it is essential to not just abstain from physical contact, but also to keep our thoughts pure and not give in to lust. We must be careful of romantic relationships, and seek to protect our hearts and minds through holy living. In essence, the Bible calls unmarried people to be wise and to examine their motives and desires.
What is an Appropriate Touch?
The Bible does not condemn all forms of touching, but rather specific forms, like sexual contact. However, even in a platonic relationship, it is important to take caution. Certain physical contact, such as holding hands, cheek kisses, or hugging, can often lead to something more profound, and so should be avoided.
It is important to apply wisdom and discernment in relationships, especially when it comes to touch, and to think carefully about our actions. We need to listen to God’s voice and know when it is wrong to touch someone before marriage. The Bible does provide us with some guidance on appropriate touch before marriage, but ultimately it is about being mindful and obeying God’s will for us.
It is wise to let an older and wiser Christian person or a couples counsellor to provide guidance on what is or is not appropriate contact before marriage. We need to learn to trust and rely on the Lord to help us discern when touch is acceptable and when it may signal inappropriate behaviour.
Mutual Respect and Acknowledgement
Finally, although it is clear from the Bible that unmarried people should be careful about how and where they touch before marriage, it is also important to remember that mutual respect must be maintained. Unmarried couples must acknowledge that although physical contact between them is not right, they must deny themselves, out of love and respect for each other and God.
Ultimately, the important thing is to be obedient. We must be mindful of our actions and remember that God has provided us with a way of life that is good, and that the Bible can be an invaluable source of guidance, especially when it comes to touch before marriage.
The Bible is clear that we should guard our hearts by avoiding any kind of sexual sin. We must remember that God has a perfect plan for us, and all we need to do is follow His commands and stay close to Him.
Associated Health Risks
It is also worth mentioning that there are serious associated health risks with engaging in any kind of physical contact, especially if it is beyond hand-holding, before marriage. This is especially true if one or both parties is not knowledgeable about the risks, such as STI transmission or pregnancy.
By refraining from sex before marriage, it helps protects both parties from any potential health issues. In addition, it can also help to alleviate any fears or anxiety that come with a sexual relationship. Of course, it is important to still practice safe sex once married, as well as to receive any necessary tests or screenings.
It is also important to remember that there can still be a deep and meaningful connection between two people without engaging in intimate touch. Many couples have found a great satisfaction in abstaining from sex until marriage and still having an incredibly fulfilling relationship.
What is important to remember here is that the Bible advises us to remain abstinent until marriage, not only to maintain physical purity, but also to foster an authentic relationship built on trust and respect.
Sexual Temptation
The Bible does not hold back when it comes to talking about sexual temptation. In the book of James, it is clear that every man and woman is subject to physical desires. Since sex is such a powerful urge, it can be very difficult for unmarried individuals to resist it.
In the Book of Proverbs, it is written that we should to flee from those who try to entice us into sexual sin, “for they have no understanding of what brings true pleasure”. It knows that sexual sin is tempting, and so encourages us to flee from it, so that we can have a clear heart and mind.
The Bible also offers practical advice on dealing with temptation, such as avoiding places and things that can encourage it. These can range from movies or books that have sexual content to hanging out with people who do not share the same values as you. This advice is especially important when it comes to physical contact before marriage.
It is also important to remember that we should not be discouraged by temptations, and that it is normal to experience them. We should instead focus on ways to resist them, by taking positive steps such as praying and immersing ourselves in God’s Word.
Marriage and Companionship
The Bible speaks a great deal about marriage and acknowledges its importance. It affirms that marriage is part of God’s plan for His people, and so should be taken seriously. When two individuals marry, it is an act of commitment and surrendering of two souls.
Marriage is also seen as a reflection of companionship, as a symbol of unity, and as an example of loyalty. The Bible encourages us to take advantage of the companionship and emotional support that comes with marriage, while at the same time maintaining physical purity.
Furthermore, the Bible says that “love is patient and kind”. This means that we should be kind to one another even when we are not married, and to always remember to respect each other’s boundaries. By doing this, we can have relationships that are built upon a deep love and understanding, rather than physical contact.
Touching before marriage can be dangerous and damaging to both the spiritual and physical life of an individual. Thus, in conclusion, it is of utmost importance to maintain physical and emotional purity before marriage, and to respect one another.
