What Does The Bible Say?
Question – What does the bible say about sex before marriage?
Answer – The Bible condemns fornications – Galatians 5:19 – “now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, 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 the sexually immoral and adulterer will be judged by God.
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, “pronoia” which occurs 25 times in the Bible. 24 of those times it appears in the New Testament. It includes the sexual sins of adultery, pedophilia, bestiality, and all 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 younger particularly in 2 Tim. 2:22 – “flee yourself 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.” Follow God’s ways and run from the devils’ traps and you will not be caught up in something you do not want. Rember Satan and his devices only come where they are invited.
---Stan Adams--- Please address all correspondence to What the Bible Says c/o Maple Street Church of Christ P.O. Box 3068, Liberty, TX 77575.