What Does the Bible Say About Premarital Kissing?

The Bible does not specifically mention premarital kissing. However, it talks extensively about purity, self-control, and honoring God with our bodies. These principles can be applied to the topic. The key is to consider how actions align with maintaining purity and respect for oneself and others. The Bible advocates for avoiding sexual immorality, which is often interpreted to include a range of physical intimacies. It emphasizes the importance of actions and thoughts that honor God and reflect respect for His design for sexuality and relationships. Thus, while kissing before marriage is not directly addressed, the overarching biblical principles of purity and respect should guide decisions in this area.

Curious about what the Bible might say regarding premarital kissing? Explore how biblical principles of purity, self-control, and respect can guide our understanding of physical intimacy before marriage.

What Does the Bible Say About Premarital Kissing?

The Bible doesn’t give a direct yes or no to premarital kissing. But don’t stop reading just yet. There’s more to it.

Let’s dig into the principles the Bible teaches. Purity, self-control, and honoring God with our bodies – these are big themes. The Bible wants us to live in a way that’s pleasing to God, in our actions and our thoughts.

Premarital kissing? It’s about where it leads us. The Bible warns against sexual immorality, which is not just about sex but about maintaining purity in our relationships. It’s about respecting the other person and yourself.

Think about it this way: Is the kissing an expression of genuine affection and respect, or is it stirring up desires and passions that are meant for marriage? The Bible’s view is all about intention and context.

Jesus raised the bar. He talked about looking at someone lustfully being akin to adultery. That’s about thoughts and intentions, not just actions. So, when it comes to premarital kissing, the question is: Does it honor God and the other person?

Now, this isn’t about setting rules or judging others. It’s about personal conviction, guided by God’s principles. Each person, each couple, needs to prayerfully consider what honors God in their relationship.

The Bible also talks about avoiding even the appearance of sin. That’s not just about what we do, but how it’s perceived. It’s about being wise and considerate of how our actions affect our testimony.

In essence, the Bible doesn’t lay down specific rules about premarital kissing. Instead, it sets a standard for purity and respect. It’s about making choices that align with a life that honors God and reflects His design for love, sexuality, and relationships.

Bible Verses About Premarital Kissing

1. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 – “Flee from sexual immorality… Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit… Therefore honor God with your bodies.” This passage is about respecting our bodies and avoiding actions that lead to sexual immorality.
2. 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.” This emphasizes self-control and honoring God with our actions.
3. Matthew 5:28 – “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Jesus’ words remind us that purity is not just about actions but also about our thoughts and intentions.
4. Ephesians 5:3 – “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity.” This verse encourages believers to not even hint at sexual immorality in their actions.
5. 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 speaks to pursuing purity and righteousness in all relationships.
6. Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” This wisdom literature highlights the importance of protecting our hearts and being mindful of our actions.
7. Song of Solomon 2:7 – “Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.” This verse from Song of Solomon can be interpreted as an encouragement to reserve expressions of romantic love, including kissing, for the right time.
8. Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” This passage suggests that our actions, including physical expressions of affection, should be guided by the fruits of the Spirit, including self-control.
9. 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 – “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman. But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.” This speaks to the proper context for sexual relations, implying that physical intimacy should be reserved for marriage.
10. Proverbs 5:18-19 – “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.” This verse celebrates sexual joy within the confines of marriage, suggesting that such expressions should be reserved for this lifelong commitment.
11. 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 strength of sexual desires and suggests marriage as the appropriate context for their fulfillment, hinting at the importance of self-control in premarital relationships.
12. 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 emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and the importance of keeping sexual expressions within its bounds.
13. Proverbs 6:25-28 – “Do not lust in your heart after her beauty… Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?” These verses use vivid imagery to caution against the dangers of lust and the importance of guarding one’s heart and body.
14. Galatians 5:16 – “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” This encourages believers to live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, which includes exercising self-control in physical matters.
15. 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 underlines the need to actively resist and put away actions and thoughts that lead to sexual immorality.
16. 1 Peter 1:14-16 – “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” Peter calls for a lifestyle of holiness, which includes purity in relationships.
17. Ephesians 4:1-3 – “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” This passage, while not specifically about physical relationships, speaks to the conduct expected of believers, including aspects like humility and patience, which are relevant to romantic relationships.
18. 1 Thessalonians 4:4-5 – “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 emphasizes the call to believers to live differently from the world, particularly in the area of physical relationships.
19. Matthew 5:8 – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes include a blessing for purity in heart, which extends to thoughts and actions, including those related to physical intimacy.
20. Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” This verse encourages believers to focus their thoughts on things that are pure and honorable, which would guide their actions, including how they express physical affection.

These verses provide a broader context for understanding the Bible’s perspective on physical intimacy, including premarital kissing. They highlight the importance of self-control, purity, and the sanctity of marriage, encouraging believers to reflect these values in their relationships.