“Shacking up” or living together before marriage is a topic the Bible addresses in terms of sexual purity and commitment. Scripture encourages believers to honor marriage and live in a way that reflects commitment and holiness. Let’s explore what the Bible says about living together outside of marriage and God’s design for relationships.
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What Does The Bible Say About shacking
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 staying away from sexual immorality. It reminds us that engaging in sexual immorality is not just a sin against God, but also harmful to our own bodies.
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.”
God’s design for relationships is that they be honored and kept pure within the boundaries of marriage. This verse warns of God’s judgment upon those who engage in adultery and sexual immorality.
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.”
As Christians, we are called to live a life of sanctification, which includes avoiding sexual immorality. This verse encourages us to exercise self-control over our bodies, living in a way that is holy and honorable.
Colossians 3:5
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
As followers of Christ, we are called to put to death our sinful desires, including sexual immorality. This verse reminds us to resist the temptations of our earthly nature and to turn away from lust and impurity.
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 reinforces the importance of marriage and the proper context for sexual relations. It encourages married couples to fulfill their sexual needs within the commitment of marriage.
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.”
Jesus raises the standard of righteousness, teaching that not only the act of adultery is sinful, but also the lustful thoughts and desires that lead to it. This verse highlights the importance of purity in our hearts and minds.
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.”
As followers of Christ, we are called to live a life of holiness and purity. This verse instructs us to avoid any form of sexual immorality, impurity, and greed, as these actions are not fitting for those who belong to God.
Galatians 5:19
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery.”
This verse identifies sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery as acts of the flesh. It serves as a reminder that as Christians, we should not indulge in such behaviors but instead strive to live according to the Spirit.
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.”
This verse highlights the destructive consequences of adultery. It warns that those who engage in adultery bring shame upon themselves and experience lasting consequences.
1 Corinthians 10:8
“We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.”
This verse refers to an incident from the Old Testament when the Israelites engaged in sexual immorality and faced severe consequences. It serves as a reminder of the importance of fleeing from sexual immorality to avoid God’s judgment.
Romans 1:26-27
“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.”
This passage addresses the distortion of natural sexual relations and the consequences of engaging in same-sex relationships. It serves as a reminder that God’s design for sexual relationships is between a man and a woman.
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 live by the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit in order to resist and overcome the fleshly desires, including those related to sexual immorality.
1 Peter 2:11
“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”
As Christians, we are called to live differently from the world, abstaining from sinful desires that can harm our souls. This verse reminds us of the battle we face against our own sinful inclinations.
Mark 7:21-23
“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.”
This passage highlights that sexual immorality is one of many evil thoughts and actions that flow from a corrupt heart. It reminds us that true transformation begins with a change of heart and mind.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“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. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
This passage reminds us that sexual immorality is incompatible with inheriting the kingdom of God. However, it also offers hope, declaring that through Christ, believers can be washed, sanctified, and justified, experiencing forgiveness and transformation.
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 encourages believers to run away from the sinful desires of youth and instead strive to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. It emphasizes the importance of surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals who seek to honor God.
Proverbs 5:3-5
“For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end, she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.”
This passage warns against the seductive allure of adultery and sexual immorality. It depicts the consequences of giving in to such temptations, which ultimately lead to destruction and death.
Titus 2:11-12
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age.”
This verse highlights the transformative power of God’s grace, which not only offers salvation but also empowers believers to resist ungodliness and pursue a life of self-control, righteousness, and godliness.
Psalm 119:9
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.”
This verse acknowledges the challenges of maintaining purity in a world full of temptations. It points to the importance of grounding ourselves in God’s Word to navigate the path of purity.
Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
This verse serves as a prayer for God’s transforming work in our hearts. It acknowledges our need for a pure heart and a steadfast spirit, both of which are essential in resisting sexual immorality.
Proverbs 6:27-29
“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? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.”
This passage draws a parallel between the consequences of engaging in adultery and the physical harm that comes from playing with fire. It warns of the inevitable punishment for those who commit such acts.
1 Thessalonians 4:4-5
“…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 emphasizes the call for self-control over our bodies, living in a manner that is holy and honorable. It contrasts the passionate lust of those who do not know God with the self-discipline required of believers.
Proverbs 7:25-27
“Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.”
This passage warns against being enticed and led astray by the ways of sexual immorality. It describes the destructive path it leads to, pointing out the numerous victims who have fallen and the ultimate destination of death.