When it comes to abstinence, the Bible presents it as a choice that can lead to spiritual and personal growth. It’s not just about saying ‘no’ to physical desires but about saying ‘yes’ to a deeper connection with God. The Bible advocates abstinence, particularly from sexual immorality, as a way to maintain purity and honor God with one’s body. It’s viewed as a path of self-control and spiritual discipline, leading to a life that reflects God’s values.
If you’re interested in understanding why abstinence is given such importance in the Bible and how it relates to faith and personal integrity, keep reading!
What Does the Bible Say About Abstinence?
The topic of abstinence in the Bible goes beyond mere avoidance of physical indulgences; it’s about a lifestyle that prioritizes spiritual health and moral integrity. Abstinence, according to the Bible, is a powerful act of self-discipline that strengthens one’s relationship with God and aligns one’s life with His will.
In the Bible, sexual purity is a recurring theme. The call to abstain from sexual immorality is clear and strong. This is not because sexuality is viewed as inherently sinful, but because the Bible places great value on expressing sexuality in ways that honor God’s design and intention. In the biblical view, sex is a gift from God to be enjoyed within the boundaries He has set, which is within the context of marriage.
Abstinence is also about self-control, a fruit of the Spirit mentioned in the New Testament. It involves making conscious choices to resist temptations and sinful desires. The Bible teaches that exercising self-control in one area of life, like abstaining from sexual immorality, can strengthen a person’s overall ability to live righteously.
Moreover, abstinence is not just about individual purity; it’s about honoring others. The Bible teaches that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and how we treat them affects our spiritual health and our relationships with others. By practicing abstinence, individuals show respect not only for themselves but also for those they are in relationships with, reflecting God’s love and care.
It’s important to recognize that the Bible’s call to abstinence is not a form of punishment or deprivation. Rather, it’s seen as a path to true freedom – freedom from sin, guilt, and negative consequences that can accompany unwise choices. In God’s view, as presented in the Bible, abstinence is a positive, life-affirming choice.
The Bible also addresses the grace and forgiveness available through Jesus for those who have struggled with maintaining abstinence. The message is one of hope and restoration, not judgment and condemnation.
Bible Verses About Abstinence
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 – “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.” This verse explicitly calls for abstinence from sexual immorality as a part of sanctification, a process of becoming more like Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 – “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” Here, Paul emphasizes the importance of honoring God with one’s body by abstaining from sexual immorality.
- Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” This passage, while not explicitly about abstinence, highlights self-control as a key aspect of a Christian’s life, which includes control over one’s sexual impulses.
- 1 Corinthians 7:8-9 – “To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” Paul suggests abstinence from sexual relations for those who are not married, but also acknowledges the legitimacy of marrying to fulfill sexual desires in a way that honors God.
- 2 Timothy 2:22 – “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” Timothy is advised to avoid youthful lusts, which implies a call to abstinence, and instead to pursue spiritual virtues.
- Matthew 5:28 – “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Jesus raises the standard of purity, teaching that abstinence includes not just physical actions but also the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- 1 Peter 2:11 – “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” Peter encourages believers to abstain from fleshly lusts, emphasizing the spiritual battle involved in maintaining purity.
- Proverbs 6:25-26 – “Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.” This Proverb warns against lust and adultery, encouraging mental and emotional abstinence as well as physical.
- Ephesians 5:3 – “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.” Paul instructs the Ephesians to completely abstain from sexual immorality, highlighting the standard of holiness expected in the Christian community.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” This verse provides reassurance that in the face of sexual temptation, God provides a way to resist and maintain abstinence.
- Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” This verse encourages believers to actively resist and eliminate sinful desires, including sexual immorality, as part of living a life dedicated to God.
- James 1:14-15 – “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James explains the process of temptation and sin, underscoring the importance of controlling desires to prevent sin, which is aligned with the principle of abstinence.
- Genesis 2:24 – “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” This verse from Genesis establishes the context in which sexual relations are honored and blessed, implying that outside of this context, abstinence is expected.
- Proverbs 5:15-17 – “Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you.” This Proverb uses metaphorical language to advocate for sexual fidelity, which includes abstinence from sexual relations outside of marriage.
- Romans 13:14 – “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” Paul encourages believers to embody the character of Christ and to avoid making any allowance for indulging sinful desires, advocating for a lifestyle of self-control and abstinence.
Each of these verses contributes to the biblical narrative on abstinence. The Bible presents abstinence not as a burdensome restriction, but as a means to greater spiritual depth, self-discipline, and fulfillment in God’s design for life. It emphasizes that true freedom and joy are found not in indulging every desire, but in aligning one’s life with God’s principles, which includes the practice of abstinence from sin, particularly sexual immorality. The consistent message is that abstinence, as a part of a holistic approach to living a life of faith and integrity, is deeply valued and honored in the biblical context.