What the Bible says About Marriage: In our society today, living together or cohabitation before marriage has become a norm. But as Christians, we must always turn to the Bible as our supreme manual for conduct. In todays article, We will examine what the Bible says about cohabitation prior to marriage and why it is incompatible with His design for marital union.
God’s Design for Marriage
God from the beginning of creation, marriage has always been a holy commitment between one man and one woman.
Considering this, Genesis 2:24 goes on to state that “a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” This verse reflects God’s divine purpose for marital relationship, which involves a man and a woman to separate from their families and form a holy and lovely bond.
The phrase “one flesh” denotes a unity and intimacy that is unparalleled in any other relationship.
Jesus Himself in Matthew 19:5–6 reaffirms that “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. As just a result, they are no longer two, but one flesh.”
What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. Jesus is highlighting the fact that marriage is not just a social or cultural construct, but rather, it is a divine institution established by God Himself.
Cohabitation before marriage is a clear deviation from God’s design for marriage. Living together and engaging in sexual activity before marriage implies a lack of commitment and permanence, and is a form of “trial marriage” that is not consistent with God’s intention for human relationships.
Sexual Purity
God’s Word is clear that sexual activity is to be reserved for marriage between one man and one woman. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 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. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
As believers, our bodies are not our own. We have been purchased with a price – the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we should honor God with our bodies and avoid sexual immorality. This includes not engaging in sexual activity before marriage, as it goes against God’s plan for human sexuality.
Hebrews 13:4 also affirms the importance of sexual purity in marriage: “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” The marriage bed is meant to be kept pure – not defiled by sexual activity outside of marriage. Sexual purity is a key component of a healthy and fulfilling marriage, and cohabitation before marriage can have negative consequences for the future relationship.
Examples from the Bible
The Bible provides us with examples of both the consequences of sexual immorality and the blessings of sexual purity.
An example of the penalty of sexual immorality can be found in the story of David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12). Here, we witnessed David, the king of Israel, engaging in adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, one of his soldiers. When Bathsheba became pregnant, David arranged for her husband to be killed in battle in order to cover up his sin. The consequences of David’s sin were severe – the child that Bathsheba bore died, and David’s family experienced turmoil and strife for many years to come.
The Bible also gives us illustrations of sexual purity and the benefits that come with it, on the other side. Joseph and Mary provide an excellent example of this. In Matthew 1:18-25, we read that Mary became pregnant before she was married to Joseph, but they remained pure until they were married. Despite the potential shame and social stigma that could have come with this situation, they remained faithful to God and to each other. God blessed their obedience, and they went on to raise Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
As believers, we should strive to honor God with our bodies and pursue sexual purity. Let us trust in God’s plan for our lives and seek to live according to His Word. By doing so, we can experience the blessings that come with sexual purity and a God-honoring relationship.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bible is clear that living together before marriage is contrary to God’s plan for human relationships. Marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God, and sexual activity is to be reserved for marriage between one man and one woman. Cohabitation before marriage is a deviation from God’s design and can have negative consequences for the future relationship.
