Pre-Marital Sex: How Far is Too Far?
The Bible’s Clear Teaching
Pre-marital sex: How far is too far? The Bible speaks clearly and repeatedly about the importance of reserving sexual intimacy for marriage. In the Bible, sex outside of marriage is condemned as “fornication” (e.g. 1 Corinthians 6:18). God’s ideal pattern established at Creation was for a man and woman to become “one flesh” within the covenant of marriage (Genesis 2:24).
New Testament Reinforcement The New Testament reinforces this, with Jesus himself upholding the sanctity of marriage (Matthew 19:4-6). The apostle Paul instructs Christians to “flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18). He says the body is “not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord” (1 Corinthians 6:13).
Counter-Cultural but Purposeful So while pre-marital sex may be culturally normalized today, from a biblical perspective it violates God’s design and purpose for sex. Sex is meant to be a pure, unifying, procreative act between a husband and wife expressing committed, covenant love.
Defining Boundaries As for “how far is too far?”—any sexual activity outside of marriage could be considered crossing a line. This includes not just intercourse, but other intimacies such as petting, undressing, and intentionally arousing sexual desire. The biblical call is to “flee” youthful lusts (2 Timothy 2:22) and maintain complete purity until marriage.
Practical Safeguards To avoid temptation, it’s wise to put practical boundaries in place—like avoiding being alone together unchaperoned, dressing modestly, controlling wandering thoughts, and being accountable to others. Most importantly, cultivating a love for God and obedience to His Word provides the power to resist sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).
Honouring God and Future Spouse Staying pure isn’t easy in today’s culture, but it honours God and your future spouse. With prayer, wisdom and loving accountability, it’s absolutely possible to live a life pleasing to the Lord in this area.
The Greatest Gift Among the most precious and intimate gifts you can give your spouse on your wedding night is the gift of your virginity. Remaining pure until marriage allows you to joyfully celebrate complete intimacy as God designed it within the covenant of marriage.
Saving your virginity for your spouse is not just practical advice, but a profound symbol. It represents Christ’s love for the Church and the mutual self-giving at the heart of biblical marriage (Ephesians 5:31-33). Virginity preserved is a tremendous gift of love.
Related Reads:
Editor’s Pick
Lie From Hell: Jesus Was Just a Good Moral Teacher
Editor’s Note: This post is part of our series, Satan’s Lies: Common Deceptions in the Church Today’… Jesus Christ can’t [...]
Saved, Being Saved and Will Be Saved: Salvation’s Three Tenses
THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL REALITY OF SALVATION Salvation's Three Tenses: Salvation is far more than a single moment of spiritual transaction. It’s [...]
The Cornerstone Metaphor and Jesus: What’s the Crucial Connection?
VITAL SALVATION LESSONS FROM THE PARABLE OF THE TENANTS (MATTHEW 21) The Cornerstone Metaphor and Jesus: Imagine a single stone [...]
Are Angels Real? Reformed Views on the Spirit Messengers
Angels exist in our collective imagination as ethereal, winged creatures floating on clouds, strumming harps, or dramatically intervening in human [...]
Feminism’s Impact on Biblical Womanhood: Blessing, Curse, or Both?
Feminism’s Impact on Biblical Womanhood: The feminist movement emerged from legitimate pain—of women silenced, overlooked, and systematically marginalised in both [...]
Life After Death: Can Our Deceased Loved Ones See Us Now?
Grief creates a profound ache—a longing to reconnect with those we've lost. Many Christians wonder: Can our deceased loved ones [...]
Conspiracy Theory: Were Early Christian Writers Seeking Power?
*Editor’s Note: This post is part of our series, Satan’s Lies: Common Deceptions in the Church Today’… Were early Christian [...]
Did Jesus Really Die On the Cross? Medical Proof Vs the Swoon Theory
*Editor’s Note: This post is part of our series, Satan’s Lies: Common Deceptions in the Church Today’… DID JESUS REALLY [...]
The Empty Tomb: Did the Disciples Steal Jesus’ Body?
*Editor’s Note: This post is part of our series, Satan’s Lies: Common Deceptions in the Church Today’… DID THE DISCIPLES [...]
‘Saved Through Childbearing’: What Does 1 Timothy 2:15 Mean?
Ancient Ephesus, with its temple to Artemis and its deeply entrenched pagan beliefs about childbearing and feminine power, provides the [...]
