Marriage is meant to be a partnership where love, respect, and mutual care flourish. The Bible speaks clearly about not depriving your spouse, especially in terms of affection and intimacy. Let’s explore what Scripture says about keeping the marriage bond strong and avoiding any form of neglect within that sacred relationship.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About crystal
What Does The Bible Say About depriving your spouse
1 Corinthians 7:3-5
The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. 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 emphasizes the importance of mutual fulfillment in a marriage. It encourages spouses to prioritize meeting each other’s needs and not withholding intimacy, except by mutual agreement and for a specific purpose such as spiritual devotion. By not depriving each other, couples can guard against temptation and maintain a healthy, self-controlled relationship.
Proverbs 5:18-19
May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.
This verse celebrates the joys of physical intimacy within marriage. The imagery of a loving doe and a graceful deer illustrates the beauty and allure of a satisfying marital relationship. It encourages spouses to find delight in each other and be fully satisfied, both physically and emotionally.
Song of Solomon 7:10-12
“I belong to my beloved, and his desire is for me. Come, my beloved, let us go to the countryside, let us spend the night in the villages. Let us go early to the vineyards to see if the vines have budded, if their blossoms have opened, and if the pomegranates are in bloom— there I will give you my love.”
This passage from the Song of Solomon portrays the deep longing and desire between husband and wife. It conveys the intimacy and excitement of being completely devoted to each other. It encourages couples to prioritize spending quality time together and to cherish the physical expression of their love.
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 highlights the biblical teaching on faithfulness within marriage. It emphasizes the importance of sexual exclusivity between spouses, encouraging them to find satisfaction and fulfillment within the bounds of their own relationship instead of seeking it outside of marriage.
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 passage uses the metaphor of water to convey the idea of marital faithfulness. It emphasizes the importance of keeping intimacy and fulfillment within the context of the marriage relationship. Just as water from a well should be enjoyed by the rightful owner, the pleasures of physical intimacy are to be safeguarded within the boundaries of marriage.
1 Corinthians 7:4
The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband.
This verse speaks to the concept of mutual submission in marriage. It reminds wives that they have a responsibility to consider the needs and desires of their husbands, including their physical intimacy. It encourages a selfless attitude and willingness to yield to one another in love.
Genesis 2:24
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
This verse describes the establishment of marriage as a union marked by a deep and intimate connection between a husband and wife. It affirms the significance of physical intimacy as a means of fostering unity, both emotionally and spiritually, within the marriage relationship.
1 Corinthians 7:33-34
But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.
This verse highlights the different responsibilities and priorities of married and unmarried individuals. It acknowledges the significance of pleasing one’s spouse while also affirming the importance of spiritual devotion and commitment to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
This verse calls husbands to love their wives sacrificially, just as Christ demonstrated His love for the Church by laying down His life. It reminds husbands of their responsibility to prioritize their wives’ well-being, including their emotional and physical needs.
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 maintaining purity and faithfulness within the marriage relationship. It serves as a reminder that God holds individuals accountable for their actions and attitudes towards marriage and sexual morality.
Proverbs 5:20-21
Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman? For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.
This passage warns against the temptations of infidelity and impurity. It reminds individuals that their actions and choices are observed by God and encourages them to choose faithfulness and righteousness in their relationships.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
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, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.
This verse points to the significance of sexual purity within the Christian life. It emphasizes the importance of self-control and living a life that is pleasing to God, avoiding any form of sexual immorality and instead pursuing holiness and honor in one’s thoughts and actions.
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 underscores the importance of honoring the institution of marriage and keeping the marital relationship pure and faithful. It reminds individuals of the serious consequences of infidelity and sexual immorality, as God is the ultimate judge.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Flee from sexual immorality. 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.
This passage emphasizes the importance of fleeing from sexual immorality and honoring God with our bodies. It reminds believers that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that they have been purchased at a great price through the sacrifice of Christ. Therefore, they are called to live in a way that brings glory to God, including maintaining sexual purity within marriage.
Matthew 19:6
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.
This verse speaks to the permanence and sacredness of the marriage covenant. It emphasizes that husband and wife become one flesh before God, and therefore, their union should not be easily broken or undermined. It encourages couples to remain committed to their marriage vows and seek to strengthen their relationship rather than seeking separation.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
This verse emphasizes the seriousness of sexual immorality and other sinful behaviors. It serves as a reminder that those who persist in such actions will not inherit the kingdom of God. It encourages individuals to turn away from these behaviors and pursue a life that is in alignment with God’s standards of holiness and righteousness.
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
This verse exhorts believers to flee from sinful desires and to pursue a life characterized by righteousness, faith, love, and peace. It calls individuals to surround themselves with others who also seek after purity of heart and are committed to living in obedience to God’s commands.
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 urges believers to put to death the sinful desires of their earthly nature. It specifically mentions sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed as aspects of the old self that need to be crucified. It calls believers to live in holiness and to prioritize their relationship with Christ above worldly desires.
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.
This passage highlights various sinful behaviors, including sexual immorality, as acts of the flesh. It warns that those who consistently engage in such behaviors will not inherit the kingdom of God. It encourages believers to live in accordance with the Spirit, demonstrating love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
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.
This verse goes beyond the external act of adultery and addresses the thoughts and intentions of the heart. It emphasizes the importance of guarding one’s thoughts and avoiding lustful desires, recognizing that such thoughts are sinful in themselves. It encourages individuals to strive for purity of heart and mind, not just outward adherence to the law.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
This verse offers hope and assurance to those who have fallen into sexual sin or any other form of wrongdoing. It reminds believers that if they confess their sins to God, He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse them from all unrighteousness. It encourages individuals to seek God’s forgiveness, repent, and allow His grace to restore them to a place of purity and righteousness.
James 4:7-8
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
This verse emphasizes the need for believers to submit to God and resist the temptations of the devil. It encourages individuals to draw near to God and seek His cleansing and purification. It reminds them of the importance of wholehearted devotion to the Lord and the need to turn away from double-mindedness and worldly influences.