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
Who Wrote the Gospels? Evaluating Modern Scholarship
The four Gospel writers—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—are the foundational witnesses to Christ's life and teaching. Yet, the question of [...]
The Fossil Record: Does It Really Show We Evolved from Apes?
The Fossil Record: Does It Really Show We Evolved from Apes? The fossil record has long been presented as [...]
Wrestling with Identity: When God Asks Jacob His Name
In the darkness by the Jabbok River, Jacob wrestles with a mysterious figure until daybreak. Exhausted and injured, yet refusing [...]
The Fatal Flaws of Middle Knowledge: A Reformed Critique
Middle Knowledge is one of the most sophisticated attempts to reconcile divine sovereignty with human freedom. Proposed by the 16th [...]
If Jesus is God, Why Does He Call Himself ‘Son of Man’?
A fascinating aspect of Jesus' ministry is how He repeatedly refers to Himself as the "Son of Man." The title [...]
The Mystery of Salvation: Why Did God Keep His Plan a Secret?
In the economy of God's revelation, some truths remain veiled until the time appointed for their disclosure. The plan of [...]
What Does It Mean to Be a ‘Slave’ to Righteousness?
"And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." - Romans 6:18 (NKJV) Given how highly we [...]
A Royal Priesthood: Why Does Peter Address Believers Thus?
The Apostle Peter’s words in 1 Peter 2:9 are striking: they include one of the most profound declarations of Christian [...]
Job’s Many Trials: What Purposes Did They Serve in the End?
The Book of Job is one of Scripture’s most profound explorations of human suffering and divine purpose. Through the devastating [...]
Geologic Dating: Is It a Showstopper for Young Earth Science?
Are Millions of Years Written in Stone? When you pick up a rock, you're holding a piece of Earth's history [...]
