Our culture treats sex as casual and living together before marriage as normal. God does not. He created intimacy as a gift to be enjoyed inside the covenant of marriage, and He is clear that any sexual relationship outside of marriage is sin. We will not soften that, but we will gladly point you to grace.
What God says about sex outside marriage
Scripture names sex before or outside marriage as fornication and tells us not merely to resist it but to flee it.
"Flee fornication... he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body."1 Corinthians 6:18
"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication."1 Thessalonians 4:3
Marriage is the place God honors
Intimacy is not dirty. It is holy in its proper place, which is marriage.
"Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."Hebrews 13:4
About living together
Living together before marriage places two people in daily temptation and, in nearly every case, in ongoing sin. We lovingly call couples to honor God: either to separate until marriage or to be married. That obedience brings God's blessing instead of His judgment.
If this is your life right now
- Agree with God. Call it sin and repent rather than excuse it.
- Make a clean break. Stop the relationship's sin, whether by separating or by marrying.
- Trust Christ for cleansing. He forgives and makes the impure pure.
- Walk in accountability. Let godly believers help you stay on the new path.
There is full forgiveness
"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus..."1 Corinthians 6:11
No matter your past, Christ can wash it completely clean. If you want to make things right with God in this area, we are here to help you do it with compassion and confidence. Reach out to us.