Purity: Waiting until marriage

No matter how the world tends to glamorize sex before marriage with phrases like; “your body belongs to you, and you can do whatever you want with it,” “No one cares if you are happy,” sex should not happen outside the confines of marriage. Why, though? Because God says so.

Do not get me wrong! Sex is God’s creation. As a matter of fact, He created it for our pleasure. He does not have any interest to deprive anyone who so chooses to engage in it. But just like everything in life has its guidelines, sex has its too. And if not followed to the latter, can turn into something harmful and unholy. Stripping it of the intent as to why God created it in the first place. 

Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Hebrews 13:4 NKJV

For more emphasis, let’s take a deep dive at why choosing purity before marriage is a decision of high significance and value, and the best decision a single believer can make yet:

1. Sex before marriage is a sin: The passage below shows Paul condemning sex before marriage:

Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

I Corinthians 6:18 NKJV

We must date the godly way if we must enjoy the best of God in marriage. The good news is that there is redemption and forgiveness in Christ, and it does not matter how far you have gone; you can come back home! 

2. Sex is holy: God, the progenitor of sex is holy. Therefore, we must have sex in the holy way too. Otherwise, sex loses its purpose. How can we have sex the holy way? It is by practicing it only in the confines of marriage. The moment you are joined with your spouse, you are one. Thus, sex is sacred. That is why the Bible says:

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

I Corinthians 6:19 NKJV

Your body, which is holy, is the temple of God. Do not desecrate it!

3. Purity builds confidence and trust: No love story can thrive without trust. If you want to have peace, then trust must be in place in a relationship. What pre-marital sex does to trust is to mar it while sexual purity enhances trust in a relationship. Sexual purity also boosts confidence in your partner. If you could wait together, it is possible to stay faithful to each other. 
4. Purity builds discipline: The Bible in Titus 1:8 shows what is expected of a child of God. It says:  

But hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled.

Titus 1:8 NKJV

Honestly, it takes discipline to stay chaste as a single person or a married person. And the Bible is specific about discipline. If you love what is good, be disciplined! 

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.

Isaiah 1:19 NKJV

Only the disciplined couple will eat the good of the land!

A sexual relationship signifies dedication and affection between a man and a woman. Hence, it should be practiced only within marriage. And in case you and your partner have engaged in pre-marital sex, that is not the end of the bridge. You can still retrace your steps and take bold step towards sexual purity. However, it is important that you allow God as your anchor as you wait. He will be your shield when the going gets tough; God is enough, hold on to him.

Remember 2 Corinthians 12:9 says: 

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV