The Bible encourages abstinence in various forms, whether it’s sexual purity before marriage or fasting for spiritual purposes. Abstinence is seen as a form of self-control and devotion, a way to honor God with our bodies and actions. We’ll look at what Scripture says about the practice of abstinence and how it applies to different areas of life.
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What Does The Bible Say About Abstinence
1 Corinthians 6:18
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of fleeing from sexual immorality. It teaches that engaging in sexual sin is not only a sin against God but also a sin against one’s own body.
Abstinence is a deliberate choice to abstain from sexual activity outside of marriage, as it aligns with God’s plan for sexuality and honors the sanctity of the body.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable.”
These verses highlight God’s desire for believers to be sanctified and avoid sexual immorality. It encourages self-control over one’s body, maintaining a lifestyle that is holy and honoring to God.
Abstinence is a practical way to exercise self-control and align one’s actions with God’s will for purity and holiness.
Proverbs 6:27-28
“Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?”
This verse uses vivid imagery to illustrate the consequences of indulging in sexual immorality. Just as fire burns and hot coals scorch, engaging in sexual sin can lead to detrimental consequences.
Abstinence serves as a protective measure, shielding individuals from the potential harm and negative consequences associated with sexual immorality.
Hebrews 13:4
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
This verse emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and the importance of keeping the marriage bed pure. God holds individuals accountable for any form of sexual immorality.
Abstinence before marriage ensures that the marriage bed remains pure and honors the institution of marriage as ordained by God.
1 Corinthians 7:2
“But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.”
This verse teaches that sexual relations should take place exclusively within the covenant of marriage. It provides a clear guideline for sexual activity, highlighting the importance of marital faithfulness.
Abstinence outside of marriage helps maintain the exclusivity and commitment that God intended for sexual intimacy within the marital relationship.
Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
These verses explore the deeper significance of sexual purity by addressing the condition of the heart. Jesus teaches that lustful thoughts and desires are just as damaging as the physical act of adultery.
Abstinence fosters the development of a pure heart and mind, guarding against lustful thoughts and desires that lead to unhealthy and sinful sexual behaviors.
1 Corinthians 7:9
“But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
This verse acknowledges the natural human desire for intimacy and offers marriage as a solution for those who struggle with self-control. It encourages individuals to seek a godly marital relationship to satisfy their sexual desires in a righteous manner.
Abstinence can serve as a reminder of the importance of seeking God’s guidance and timing in pursuing a marital relationship.
Ephesians 5:3
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”
This verse emphasizes the call for believers to live lives free from any form of sexual immorality, impurity, or greed. It sets a high standard for God’s people to uphold.
Abstinence is a tangible demonstration of obedience to this call, as it allows individuals to live in a manner that aligns with God’s holiness and righteousness.
1 Peter 2:11
“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”
These words encourage believers to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against their souls. It highlights the spiritual battle and the need for self-control in resisting temptation.
Abstinence helps believers protect their souls, maintaining spiritual integrity and guarding against the destructive power of sinful desires.
Colossians 3:5
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.”
This verse calls for believers to put to death the sinful desires associated with their earthly nature. It includes sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed.
Abstinence is a deliberate choice to deny the desires of the flesh and pursue a lifestyle that reflects a transformed and renewed mind in Christ.
Galatians 5:16
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
This verse encourages believers to walk in the Spirit, relying on the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. By doing so, they can resist and overcome the desires of the flesh, including sexual temptations.
Abstinence allows individuals to align with the Spirit’s leading, enabling them to live in victory over the flesh and avoid the pitfalls of sexual immorality.
Romans 6:12-13
“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.”
These verses exhort believers not to allow sin to reign in their bodies or submit to its evil desires. Instead, they are encouraged to offer themselves wholly to God, as instruments of righteousness.
Abstinence is a practical way to offer every part of one’s body to God, recognizing that it is a temple of the Holy Spirit and meant for His glory.
Romans 13:14
“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”
This verse encourages believers to clothe themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, focusing on His righteousness and rejecting the pursuit of fulfilling fleshly desires.
Abstinence allows individuals to redirect their thoughts and energy towards pursuing a deep relationship with Christ, rather than gratifying the desires of the flesh.
1 Timothy 5:2
“Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.”
These words emphasize the importance of maintaining purity and treating others with absolute purity, as brothers, mothers, or sisters in Christ.
Abstinence helps establish healthy boundaries and promotes purity in relationships, ensuring that interactions with others are characterized by respect and genuine care.
Psalm 119:9
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.”
This verse addresses the struggle to maintain purity, especially for young people, and points to the importance of living according to God’s Word as a guide.
Abstinence serves as a practical step towards maintaining purity, as it aligns with God’s instructions and helps individuals stay on the path of righteousness.
1 Samuel 2:2
“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.”
These words acknowledge God’s holiness and exalt Him as the ultimate Rock and source of strength.
Abstinence is a response to recognizing God’s holiness and desiring to honor and please Him with our bodies, acknowledging that He alone is worthy of our devotion.
Mark 7:20-23
“What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
These verses highlight the importance of guarding the heart and recognizing that evil thoughts and desires originate from within.
Abstinence aids in keeping the heart and mind pure, reducing the potential for internal struggles and the defilement that comes from engaging in sexual immorality.
Proverbs 5:15-17
“Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.”
This metaphorical passage emphasizes the importance of maintaining marital fidelity and the exclusivity of sexual relations within the covenant of marriage.
Abstinence before marriage helps preserve the sanctity of these intimate relationships, ensuring that each person’s springs of love are reserved for their future spouse alone.
Galatians 5:19-21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
These verses highlight the destructive nature of engaging in sexual immorality and other sinful behaviors. It warns that those who continue in such lifestyles will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Abstinence is a choice that empowers individuals to reject the acts of the flesh and align with God’s standards, ensuring their place in His eternal kingdom.
1 Corinthians 6:13
“You say, ‘Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.’ The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.”
This verse addresses the misconception that the body is meant for indulging in physical desires, comparing it to the purpose of food for nourishment.
Abstinence affirms that the body is meant for the Lord and should be used in a way that honors Him, rather than indulging in sexual immorality.
Matthew 19:5-6
“For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
These verses highlight God’s design for marriage, where two individuals become one flesh in a sacred union.
Abstinence before marriage supports the biblical concept of sexual intimacy exclusively within the confines of marriage, respecting the sanctity of this divine institution.
1 Corinthians 7:5
“Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
This verse addresses the importance of mutual consent within the marital relationship, allowing for temporary periods of abstinence for the purpose of prayer and devotion.
Abstinence within marriage demonstrates self-control and serves as a reminder of prioritizing spiritual growth and seeking God’s guidance in the union.
Proverbs 6:32-33
“But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away.”
These verses highlight the destructive consequences of committing adultery, including the self-destruction of the individual and the everlasting shame that accompanies it.
Abstinence safeguards against the devastating effects of sexual sin, protecting individuals from the long-lasting repercussions that can result from engaging in adultery.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“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.”
These powerful verses remind believers that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, having been bought at a price through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Abstinence acknowledges the sacredness of the body, honoring God by treating it with respect and purity, as vessels of His Spirit.
Colossians 3:6-7
“Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.”
These verses illustrate the consequences of practicing sexual immorality and warn of the wrath of God that awaits those who continue to walk in such ways.
Abstinence marks a decisive break from past lifestyles, allowing individuals to live in obedience to God and escape the impending wrath that comes from persisting in sexual sin.