Sex Before Marriage
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1Co 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
WORLD VIEW
“This theology defies all common sense. It would require that people bind themselves to a lifetime commitment to have sex with only one person, and to live their entire life as man and woman with only that person, without ever having had sex with that person or having lived with that person…” — The Rational Radical (www.rationalradical.com)
The above quote is one that represents many people in the world today and one verse comes to mind
1Co 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
Many in the world today consider it absolutely great to have sex before marriage and consider it foolishness not to do so otherwise. Many will claim that their body is their own and they can do with it as they please and are going to express themselves through their sexual freedom.
OWNERSHIP OF BODY
Perhaps to start this article off it is worth noting who owns the body of a Christian. If you are saved and not married this is very important to listen to. There is no need for confusion on the topic, for God helps clarify all things.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (esv)
Christ owns our bodies. The moment we got saved the Holy Spirit took up residence within us. We are servants of God.
Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (kjv)
So I believe it is quite obvious, we should listen to see what He has to say.
SEX — THE MARRIED COUPLE
It is clear from scripture that this was something to be enjoyed between one husband and one wife, we can see it implied in the verse below
1 Corinthians 7:9 But if they cannot exercise self–control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion. (esv)
It is very clearly stated in the next verse
1 Corinthians 7:3-5 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self–control. (esv)
SEX — UNMARRIED COUPLE
It is forbidden to have any form of sexual activity outside of marriage. The only one focused on in this article is sexual intercourse. The following sections will be further reason why unmarried couples should not have sex.
1 Corinthians 7:7-9 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. But if they cannot exercise self–control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.
FORNICATION?
1Co 10:8 Neither let us commit fornication,…(kjv)
Fornication in the ESV is translated “sexual immorality” but let us look at what the word “fornication” or the greek word “porneuo”
The basic meaning of the word means a sexually immoral sin against God. Sexual actions committed that is contrary to God’s word. The previous two topics in this article showed an allowance of sex between a married couple, but if another can not contain himself he/she should get married. Which shows no allowance of sex outside of marriage.
Another verse to help clear up what fornication actually means is this verse below:
1Co 7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
SERIOUSNESS OF SEX OUTSIDE MARRIAGE
One is the strong fact that it is against God. It is sin against our body which is the house of the Holy Spirit.
BIBLICAL EXAMPLE
Matthew 1: 18 -20 ¶ Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed (similar to ‘engaged’ of today) to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (esv)
Joseph was thinking on the law in Deuteronomy 22:23-25. There were two examples if the woman had sex with another man before marriage. If she was engaged with another man they both would be stoned to death. But if she was forced only the man would be stoned. Joseph it is very obvious dearly loved Mary, and even though was obviously unsure at this time what had happened, was going to divorce her quietly so that accusations would not be brought against her.
The whole problem was that Joseph had thought that Mary had sex before marriage.
1Co 6:13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
CONCLUSION
I pray that the point has gotten across. Our bodies are for the Lord and fornication is a sin against God. Sex outside of marriage is fornication (1 Cor. 7:2) it is sin and against God (Gal. 5:19)
For people that are unmarried and seeking one to marry the question that they need to ask themselves if they are likeminded with Peter and the other apostles when it comes to doing God’s will or man’s ideas:
Ac 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
*picture taken from: www.effective-communicating.com
