Sex is a complex topic in the Bible that requires careful examination. On one hand, the Bible celebrates sex within marriage as a gift from God. On the other hand, it prohibits sexual immorality such as adultery, homosexuality, and premarital sex. Ultimately, the Bible does not view sex itself as sinful, but improper expressions of it are considered sinful.
In Genesis 1:28, God blessed the first humans and told them to “be fruitful and multiply.” This affirms that sex within marriage for procreation is part of God’s design. Song of Songs celebrates physical intimacy between a husband and wife, showing that sex is a gift to be enjoyed in marriage. Hebrews 13:4 says the marriage bed is to be kept pure and undefiled. 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 teaches that spouses have a conjugal duty to meet each other’s sexual needs.
However, the Bible strongly prohibits sexual immorality. Adultery breaks the covenant of marriage (Exodus 20:14). Premarital sex is considered fornication (1 Corinthians 6:18). Lust is equated to adultery of the heart (Matthew 5:28). Homosexual relations go against God’s natural design (Romans 1:26-28). Sexual sin grieves the Holy Spirit who dwells in believers (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).
Overall, the Bible teaches that sex within heterosexual marriage is holy and good. But it strongly warns against sexual immorality in any form, which violates God’s standards. While culture may celebrate unconstrained sexuality, Scripture upholds the sanctity and purity of sex according to God’s design. Married couples should view sex as a gift to enjoy, while unmarried believers are called to chastity and self-control.
When examining what the Bible says about sex, several key principles emerge:
1. Sex was created by God.
God purposefully created sex and sexuality. After making man and woman in His own image, the Bible says, “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number’” (Genesis 1:28). Sex was part of God’s original perfect design. The creation account also says, “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). This points to the unique spiritual and physical union only achieved through heterosexual sex in marriage.
As the Creator, God designed sex to be enjoyed within certain parameters. Sex is meant to be between a husband and wife in the commitment of marriage. “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral” (Hebrews 13:4). The fact that God purposefully created sex means it is fundamentally good and beautiful when practiced according to His will.
2. Sex is a gift to married couples.
One book of the Bible, Song of Songs, celebrates physical intimacy between a husband and wife. Written like a poetic dialogue between two lovers, the book expresses unashamed passion and enjoyment of sex within marriage. For example, the wife says, “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, for your love is more delightful than wine” (Song of Songs 1:2). This book affirms that God designed marital sex for pleasure and intimacy.
The New Testament teaches that sex should be regularly enjoyed in marriage. 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 says, “The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband… Do not deprive each other.” God created sex to serve as a blessing for married couples to enjoy with gratitude. Within this sacred covenant, sex unites husband and wife spiritually, emotionally, and physically (Mark 10:8).
3. Sexual immorality is sinful.
Sex outside of God’s design is strictly prohibited. Adultery breaks the covenant of marriage, as one spouse is unfaithful to their vows and unites physically with someone other than their spouse. Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18 command, “You shall not commit adultery.” Jesus took Old Testament sexual ethics a step further by teaching that lustful intent is equivalent to adultery (Matthew 5:28).
The Bible also explicitly prohibits premarital sex. Acts 15:20, 1 Corinthians 6:13,18, and 1 Thessalonians 4:3 all categorize sex before marriage as sexual immorality (Greek porneia) along with adultery. First Corinthians 7 promotes celibacy for unmarried believers. Premarital sex is sinful because it fails to uphold God’s standard of purity and faithfulness to one’s future spouse.
Homosexual relations are also sinful according to Scripture. Romans 1:26-28 teaches, “God gave [idolaters] 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.” Simply put, the Bible confines appropriate sex to heterosexual marriage.
4. Sexual sin has serious consequences.
The Bible warns that those who persist in sexual sin face dire spiritual consequences. First Corinthians 6:18 teaches to “flee from sexual immorality” because it sins uniquely against one’s own body. Sexual sin corrupts body and soul in a way contrary to how God designed sex to bring blessing. continued willful sin can lead to physical ruin (Proverbs 5:11) and spiritual destruction (Proverbs 7:22-23).
Ephesians 5:5 declares, “no immoral, impure or greedy person has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Unless repentance occurs, persistent sexual immorality can indicate someone is not truly a believer (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). This is not to condemn those struggling with sexual temptation, but to warn against stubbornly pursuing a sinful lifestyle without the Spirit’s conviction and help to fight it (Galatians 5:19-21).
Sexual sin also uniquely grieves the Holy Spirit. First Corinthians 6:18-20 teaches, “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.” Sin of any kind should grieve Christians sensitive to righteousness, but sexual sin requires special caution because it defiles the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
5. The unmarried must practice chastity.
For those not married, the Bible promotes chastity and an attitude of waiting. 1 Corinthians 7 praises singleness, noting that unmarried Christians are able to be more devoted to the Lord in body and spirit. However, this does not condone premarital sex. Verse 2 says each man should “have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.” Sex remains confined to marriage.
Singles who struggle with controlling their sexuality are encouraged to marry, since “it is better to marry than to burn with passion” (1 Corinthians 7:9). But premarital sex is not condoned. Believers must trust the Lord for grace to remain pure (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). Difficult as it may be, Scripture teaches that the unmarried must steward their sexuality according to God’s design until joined in marriage. Chastity honors the Lord and one’s future spouse.
6. Within marriage, spouses should prioritize intimacy.
While singleness allows greater devotion to the Lord’s work (1 Corinthians 7:32-34), marriage brings the blessing and joy of sexual intimacy. Therefore, spouses have a conjugal responsibility to meet each other’s needs. 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 teaches, “The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. Do not deprive each other.” God’s design is for spouses to enjoy regular sexual union as a unique blessing of marriage.
However, Scripture permits short seasons of abstinence for spiritual purposes by mutual consent. Times of fasting, prayer, or spiritual reflection may warrant brief abstinence to prioritize devotion to the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:5). But these should be the exception, not the norm. Spouses should be reminded that their bodies belong to their mate (1 Corinthians 7:4). Within marriage, pure and regular sex is the norm according to God’s design.
7. Believers must guard sexual purity.
In response to immoral cultural standards, Christians must guard against sexual temptation. Job 31:1 says, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.” Proverbs 4:23 instructs, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Jesus taught radical measures may be required to avoid sexual sin, such as gouging out one’s eye or cutting off one’s hand (Matthew 5:29-30). Of course He was speaking figuratively, but the point is urgent – take drastic steps to guard purity.
Second Timothy 2:22 instructs, “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.” Rather than flirting with sexual temptation, believers – especially young men – must proactively flee and fill their eyes and hearts with spiritual pursuits. Scripture emphaters vigilance because purity requires great effort and accountability in a sexually-charged culture.
8. Sexual sin should prompt confession and repentance.
Christians stumbling into sexual sin should be quick to confess to God and turn from sin by the Spirit’s power. First John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” The hope of the gospel is that Christ’s blood cleanses even the worst sins. Those who humble themselves and confess find complete forgiveness and cleansing.
However, repentance demands a change of heart resulting in changed actions by the Spirit’s power. A believer trapped in sexual sin should cry out to God for enabling grace to slay the temptation that so easily entangles (Hebrews 12:1). They should flee tempting situations, absorb their heart and mind in Scripture, submit to accountability, and walk in fellowship with mature believers. With confession, humility and renewed dependence on the Spirit, Christians can overcome sexual bondage.
9. Marriage and singleness both bring glory to God.
In God’s design, both marriage and singleness can glorify Him. First Corinthians 10:31 says, “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” For those called to singleness, they have unique freedom to serve the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:32-35). But this is not a basis to look down upon marriage. Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage should be honored by all.” Marriage also uniquely displays the gospel by portraying Christ’s love for the church (Ephesians 5:22-33).
Whether married or single, believers’ lives should point to God’s redemptive purpose. Married believers honor God by maintaining pure sex within marriage. Singles honor God through chaste purity while fully embracing their calling. In God’s design, both marriage and singleness can glorify Him when lived according to biblical standards.
10. Jesus redeems and transforms sexuality.
All have sinned sexually in some way, whether in thought or deed (Romans 3:23). But the good news is Jesus died to forgive sinners, cleanse them from unrighteousness, and empower them to walk in purity. First Corinthians 6:11 says, “That is what some of you were [sexually immoral]. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Salvation transforms believers’ hearts to desire obedience, not rebelling in unbridled lust.
Jesus also redeems sexuality itself. The Song of Songs hints that Christ is the true lover who alone can satisfy the deepest longings of the heart. Believers are called to channel their sexual energy into wholehearted love and service for Christ. As the primary love relationship, following Jesus transforms believers’ sexuality from self-serving lust to self-giving love.
In summary, sex according to God’s design is holy and beautiful. But sin has corrupted sexuality in the human heart. Jesus sets sinners free from guilt through His cross, grants power to walk in newness of life through His Spirit, and directs passion toward loving and serving Him. By His redeeming grace, believers can glorify God through Christ-centered sexuality.