Cohabitation: Sin Or Social Norm?

Shacking up, or cohabitation, is a term used to describe a couple living together before marriage. The Bible does not directly address the topic of shacking up, but it does speak about God's design for marriage. Some Christians interpret this to mean that living together before marriage is a sin and goes against God's design. They argue that it is a form of defiance against God and a compromise of one's morality and good name. However, others argue that the Bible does not explicitly forbid living together before marriage and that the real issue is the sin of fornication or premarital sex. They believe that living together can help couples test their compatibility and make informed decisions about marriage. Ultimately, the decision to shack up or not is a personal one, and Christians may have differing opinions on whether it is a sin or not.

Cohabitation is a sin

The Bible does not directly address the topic of cohabitation, but it does speak of God's design for marriage. In Genesis 2, God says, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him...That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." This passage makes it clear that God intended for a man and a woman to be united in marriage, becoming one flesh.

Cohabitation, or "shacking up," as it is often called, is when a couple lives together like they are married without actually being married. This goes against God's design for marriage and is, therefore, a sin. Some people may argue that they are engaged or just testing their compatibility, but this does not change the fact that they are living together outside of the God-ordained relationship of marriage.

The Bible warns believers to "abstain from all appearance of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Cohabitation gives the appearance of evil, as people will assume a sexual relationship between the couple. Even if the couple is not engaging in sexual activity, they are still presenting themselves as being united as one flesh, which is reserved only for marriage.

Furthermore, cohabitation can lead to temptation and sin. James 1:14-15 says, "Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." Living under the same roof as someone of the opposite sex can lead to temptation, and eventually, sin.

Therefore, Christians should avoid cohabitation, even if their relationship is purely platonic. It gives the appearance of evil and can lead to temptation and sin. Marriage is a sacred institution designed by God, and cohabitation goes against this design.

Shacking up is defined as casually moving in with someone

The phrase "shacking up" or "to shack up" is used in casual conversation and often has negative connotations, especially in religious contexts. For instance, in the Bible, it is argued that God does not approve of shacking up. This is because, in Genesis 2, it is stated that a man will leave his parents and be joined to "his wife" as "one flesh". Thus, living with your boyfriend or girlfriend is outside of God's design for marriage.

However, many people, including those who identify as believers, argue that shacking up is not a sin. They give various reasons for this, including that they are engaged, that they want to test their compatibility before marriage, or that the Bible does not explicitly forbid it.

Despite these differing views, the general understanding of the phrase "shacking up" refers to a casual arrangement of cohabitation between romantic partners outside of marriage.

The Bible addresses shacking up in its pronouncement on marriage

The Bible addresses the issue of "shacking up," or cohabitation before marriage, in its teachings on sexual morality and the sanctity of marriage. Scripture is clear that God intends sexual intimacy to be enjoyed exclusively within the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman. This is evident from the beginning of the Bible in Genesis, where God creates humanity as male and female, and establishes the institution of marriage (Genesis 1:27–28; 2:24).

In the Ten Commandments, God instructs, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:12-17). While "shacking up" is not directly mentioned, the seventh commandment, "You shall not commit adultery," speaks directly to issues of sexual morality. Adultery is prohibited, and by extension, any sexual activity outside of the bounds of marriage, including cohabitation.

In the New Testament, Jesus reinforced the sanctity of marriage and the importance of faithfulness within it. When asked about divorce, Jesus pointed back to the creation account in Genesis, saying, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate" (Matthew 19:4-6). Here, Jesus underscores God's intention for marriage to be a lifelong union, reflecting the faithful commitment between God and his people.

The apostle Paul also provided instruction on sexual ethics and marriage in his letters to the early churches. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, he writes, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God." Here, Paul is instructing the church to live differently from the surrounding culture, emphasizing self-control and holiness, which would include refraining from cohabitation or "shacking up."

Shacking up gives the appearance of evil

Even if a couple is not sexually active, shacking up can still be seen as a compromise of Christian values. God designed marriage as a sacred union between a man and a woman, and living together outside of marriage can be seen as a violation of God's design. Additionally, shacking up can lead to temptation and sin. As James 1:14-15 says, "Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." By living together, a couple may be tempted to engage in sexual activity, which would be considered a sin.

Furthermore, shacking up can have negative consequences for a couple's relationship. It can create an illusion of intimacy and compatibility that may not be based on reality. It can also lead to a lack of commitment, as the couple may feel that they are already married in all but name. This can result in a delay in making a formal commitment or even a decision not to marry at all.

In conclusion, shacking up gives the appearance of evil and can lead to sin and negative consequences for a couple's relationship. Christians should avoid shacking up and instead honour God's design for marriage.

Shacking up is a clear defiance of God's design

Genesis 2:24 says, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." This verse establishes God's design for marriage, where a man and woman leave their separate lives and come together as one unit. Shacking up blurs the lines between being single and being married, creating a sort of "in-between" state that is not in line with God's clear instructions.

Furthermore, shacking up can lead to a host of potential problems and pitfalls. It can give the appearance of evil, even if the couple is not engaging in sexual activity. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says, "Abstain from every form of evil." When a man and woman live together outside of marriage, it can create confusion and give the wrong impression to others. It can also lead to increased temptation and compromise one's moral standards.

Additionally, shacking up can hinder the development of a strong, God-honoring marriage. Marriage is a sacred covenant between a man, a woman, and God. By shacking up, couples are essentially taking matters into their own hands and going against God's established order. This can lead to a lack of trust, communication issues, and an unhealthy foundation for the marriage.

In conclusion, shacking up is a clear act of defiance against God's design for marriage. It goes against the biblical model of leaving and cleaving, creates an appearance of evil, increases temptation, and hinders the development of a God-honoring marriage. As Christians, we are called to obey God's commands and live according to His plan, even when it goes against cultural norms.

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