What Does The Bible Say?
Question– What does the Bible say about sex before marriage?
Answer– The Bible condemns fornication-Galatians 5:19- “now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality…. vs-21- and those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” In between verse 19 and verse 21, other things are mentioned that are equally sinful. Being involved in sex before marriage will separate you from God eternally if you do not repent and turn from that sin. Paul states in 1 Cor. 6:18-20- “flee sexual immorality, every other sin a person commits are outside the body, but the fornicator sins against his own body.” Once a person gives away their virginity, they can never retrieve it. God intended for sexual activity to be within the boundaries of marriage. Within marriage, sex is considered by God to be lawful and good, but outside of marriage, it cheapens a very holy and good activity. One man and one woman together in marriage until death separates them (Matt. 19). The writer of Hebrews says by the direction of the Holy Spirit- “marriage is honorable in all and the bed undefiled…” (Heb. 13:4-6). The Hebrew writer goes on to say that God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
A person can repent and turn from fornication, and it can be forgiven, but a person has to stop committing it. They cannot “continue in sin that grace might abound.” (Rom. 6:1-2). Fornication comes from a Greek word, “porneia,” which occurs 25 times in the Bible. Twenty-four of those instances appear in the New Testament. It includes the sexual sins of adultery, pedophilia, bestiality, and all actual physical sexual activity with a person outside of lawful marriage.
The biblical solution given by God to avoid fornication and keep it from happening is found in 1 Cor. 6:18- “flee fornication.” Most who get involved in fornication plan for it to happen and give occasions for it to occur. James 4:17“be subject to God, but resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Paul tells the younger particularly in 2 Tim. 2:22- “flee youthful lusts that war against the soul, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace along with those who call on God out of a pure heart.” Virginity and purity are not weird. A person should cherish their purity and save themselves for intimacy with the one they marry. We need to get back to stressing virginity to our young people. One hundred percent of people who are virgins will not have to worry about unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. Follow God’s ways and run from the devil’s traps, and you will not be caught up in something you do not want. Remember, Satan and his devices only come where they are invited.
Please address all questions and comments to What Does the Bible Say> C/O Maple St. Church of Christ, PO Box 3086, Liberty, TX 77575 and visit our website, maplestreetliberty.org.