Cohabitation And Sin: The Girlfriend Question

is living with your girlfriend a sin

Living with your girlfriend has been a topic of debate among Christians, with some arguing that it is a sin while others claim it is not. While pre-marital cohabitation is no longer taboo in modern culture, some Christians believe it goes against biblical teachings and can lead to sexual immorality and assumptions of sexual activity. Others argue that it is a personal choice and not a sin as long as it does not involve sexual intimacy. This topic has sparked discussions within Christian communities, with individuals weighing in on the moral, religious, and practical implications of such living arrangements.

Characteristics Values
Living with your girlfriend before marriage is a sin No
Living with your girlfriend before marriage is wise No
Sexual immorality is a sin Yes
Living together assumes sexual activity Yes
Living together brings honor to Jesus No
Living together is playing with fire Yes

shunspirit

Cohabitation is not a sin but it is not wise and should be avoided

In the Bible, there is no explicit mention of cohabitation being a sin. However, it is important to consider the wider implications and potential consequences of this decision. Firstly, it is essential to acknowledge that sexual immorality is a sin. The Bible clearly states that sexual activity outside of a marital union is wrong. If a couple chooses to live together before marriage, they may fall into the "try before you buy" mindset, which can lead to sexual activity and, consequently, sin.

Secondly, society assumes that cohabiting couples are sexually active. This assumption can bring disgrace to the name of Jesus, as people may perceive their actions as dishonorable. Christians are called to live in a way that brings honor to Jesus and abstains from any form of evil. By choosing to cohabit, one may unintentionally cause others to stumble in their faith or create an inaccurate representation of who Jesus is.

Additionally, living together before marriage can be likened to playing with fire. Humans are sexual beings, and it is natural to crave physical intimacy. By choosing to live with a significant other before marriage, one is putting themselves in a situation where the temptation to sin is constantly present. This decision may lead to lust, adultery, and fornication. It is wise to remember that if one is constantly surrounded by temptation, they will inevitably fall into sin.

Furthermore, cohabitation can impact one's relationship with their family and church community. As seen in the example of a woman whose boyfriend moved in with her, the choice to cohabit caused tension with her strict Christian parents and led to the threat of church discipline. While financial benefits and convenience may be appealing, one must also consider the potential consequences on personal relationships and spiritual standing.

Lastly, statistics show that couples who live together before marriage have a higher chance of divorcing later on. While this may not be a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it is worth considering the potential impact on the long-term stability of the marriage.

In conclusion, while cohabitation is not explicitly a sin, it is a decision that should be avoided due to the potential spiritual, relational, and moral implications. It is wise to pursue marriage and make a commitment to abstain from sex until then, as this honors God and reflects a biblical understanding of intimacy and covenant.

shunspirit

Sexual immorality is a sin

The Bible is clear that sexual activity outside of a marital union of one man and one woman is a sin. The word "porneia" is used in the Greek language to describe "sexual immorality", and it includes any form of sexual activity outside of a covenanted marriage relationship. This means that premarital sex, adultery, pornography, and lust are all violations of God's intent when He created the sexual act.

Additionally, sexual immorality is a sin because it destroys the picture of the unbreakable covenant that God has with His people. The Bible uses marriage as a metaphor to describe the covenant relationship between Jesus and His followers. By engaging in sex outside of marriage, we violate God's intention and bring serious consequences upon ourselves.

Furthermore, sexual immorality is a sin that defiles more than just our physical bodies. It has spiritual significance, as it is mentioned and renounced in almost every book of the Bible. Committing sexual sin is directly opposed to God's will to sanctify us and can make it impossible to experience the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Finally, sexual immorality is a sin that begins with temptation, just like all other sins. When we refuse to acknowledge God's boundaries and allow lust to dictate our choices, we inevitably fall into sin. James 1:13-15 warns us that lust will never lead us in the right direction and will only give birth to sin and death.

In conclusion, sexual immorality is a sin because it goes against God's plan for marriage, violates the covenant relationship with Him, defiles our bodies and spirits, and leads us down a path of temptation and destruction.

shunspirit

Living together assumes sexual activity

The wide assumption is that cohabiting couples are sexually active. While the other 3% are not, according to the research, that's a safe assumption. When someone identifies as a cohabiting couple, there's no way to tell whether they're in the 3%. This leads to a big problem. Every single action we take as a Christian will bring honour to Jesus, or bring disgrace to his name.

The Bible tells us to "reject/abstain from any form of evil". That means that we run as far away from it as we possibly can. Far too many Christians are comfortable with doing a balancing act on the edge of a cliff, while God's best for us is to be safe with Him on the path of righteousness.

Psalm 23:3 says that "He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake". Sure, there is freedom to live with someone of the opposite sex. There is no clear passage in the Bible that forbids it. The question that you have to ask is this: Am I displaying an accurate picture of who Jesus is to my friends and neighbours by cohabiting with my boyfriend/girlfriend, especially if they assume the worst?

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shunspirit

Living together is playing with fire

It is undeniable that cohabitation is no longer taboo in our culture. However, while it may not be a sin for couples to live together before marriage, it is certainly not wise.

Firstly, sexual immorality is a sin. The Bible is clear that sexual activity outside of a marital union is wrong. The "try before you buy" culture is a big reason for cohabitation, and according to research, 97% of cohabiting couples are sexually active. This is a sin in the eyes of the Church.

Secondly, living together assumes sexual activity. Even if a small percentage of cohabiting couples are not sexually active, the wide assumption is that they are. This brings disgrace to the name of Jesus and goes against the teaching of 1 Thessalonians 5:22, which tells us to "reject/abstain from any form of evil."

Thirdly, humans are sexual beings. We crave physical intimacy, and living with a significant other is playing with fire. Proverbs 6:27-29 says, "Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife; none who touches her will go unpunished." If you are not married, that person is not your wife or husband, and you are risking falling into sin.

In conclusion, while living with your girlfriend before marriage may not be a sin, it is a risky and unwise decision. It is better to honour God, pursue marriage, and abstain from sex until that time. By doing so, you display an accurate picture of who Jesus is to your friends and neighbours and avoid the potential consequences of giving in to temptation.

shunspirit

The Bible does not forbid living with your girlfriend but it is not the wisest decision

While the Bible does not explicitly forbid living with your girlfriend, it is nevertheless not the wisest decision for several reasons.

Firstly, sexual immorality is a sin, and cohabitation often leads to sexual activity outside of marriage. According to research by the Guttmacher Institute, 97% of cohabiting women are sexually active. Scripture is clear that sexual activity outside of marriage is wrong, and cohabitation can make it difficult to uphold this biblical standard.

Secondly, living together is often assumed to involve sexual activity. Even if a couple chooses to remain celibate while living together, others may assume the worst and perceive their arrangement as dishonouring to Jesus. This perception can bring disgrace to the name of Christ and create a stumbling block for others.

Thirdly, living together can be playing with fire, as humans are sexual beings with a natural desire for physical intimacy. By choosing to live with your girlfriend, you are placing yourself in a situation of constant temptation, which can be difficult to resist.

Additionally, cohabitation can impact your relationships with family, church members, and the wider community. It may be seen as "living in sin" by those with strict religious beliefs, leading to tension and conflict.

Finally, while cohabitation may provide financial benefits and a chance to test compatibility, it is not a reliable indicator of long-term relationship success. In fact, statistics suggest that couples who live together before marriage have a higher chance of divorcing later on.

In conclusion, while the Bible does not explicitly forbid living with your girlfriend, it is not the wisest decision due to the potential spiritual, relational, and moral pitfalls. A better choice would be to honour God by pursuing marriage or committing to abstain from sex until marriage.

Frequently asked questions

Living with your girlfriend is not a sin, but it is not wise and should be avoided.

Firstly, sexual immorality is a sin. 97% of cohabiting couples are sexually active, and the Bible is clear that sexual activity outside of marriage is wrong. Secondly, living together assumes sexual activity, so even if you are in the 3% of cohabiting couples who are not sexually active, others will assume that you are. This will bring disgrace to Jesus's name. Thirdly, living together is playing with fire. Humans are sexual beings, and it is very difficult to live together without giving in to temptation.

The Bible does not forbid cohabitation. However, it does say that sexual activity outside of marriage is a sin.

If you are a Christian, your parents and pastor may reject your choice and you may be put under church discipline.

You could get married, or you could pursue a long-distance relationship.

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