Several individuals choose to abstain from sexual sin prior to marriage. They do this with the help of wisdom, practical planning, genuine accountability and pointed prayer.
The Bible clearly teaches that it is wrong for people to have sex without marriage. This direction is often hard to follow. It can be difficult to flee from sexual immorality if you are in love with someone.
1. Listen to Podcasts
The right podcast can give you the inspiration and guidance you need to make a difficult decision. There are several different podcasts that focus on a variety of topics, including marriage and sex. Some of these podcasts are designed to support a healthy lifestyle, while others have specific goals in mind like building emotional and spiritual intimacy within your relationship. Listen to a few of these podcasts on a regular basis to help you stay on track and avoid temptation.
Often, couples who choose to abstain from sexual activity until marriage find that it is easier to be faithful when they listen to a podcast that supports their choice. These podcasts can also help them communicate better, especially when it comes to the topic of sex. They may learn how to talk about sex in a healthy way with their partner and they might discover that non-penetrative forms of intimacy such as oral sex can be quite satisfying.
Trying to justify sex before marriage is wrong, even if you are hoping that the two of you will one day get married. It is important to remember that marriage is a serious commitment. It is a commitment to another person and to God. Many people believe that a man will not stay with them if they don’t have sex, but this is simply untrue. The right man will respect your desire to save sex for marriage and love you just the same.
2. Talk to Your Significant Other
If you’re in a committed relationship, and you want to stop having sex before marriage, the first thing to do is talk to your partner. Be clear, direct, and respectful. You don’t owe them an explanation, but you can say something like, “I really love and respect you, but I’m not ready for sex.” Try to avoid using blaming language. Instead, focus on what you both can do to grow closer.
This is a difficult conversation to have, but it’s important to take your time and approach it with compassion and wisdom. It’s also important to have other trusted friends and family members in your corner to offer support and advice. If you do have children, it might be helpful to discuss your decision with them too, and ask them for their input.
If your partner isn’t supportive, you might have to make the hard decision to break up with them. Sex outside of marriage creates bonds that should not be there and can be difficult to dissolve. However, if God is calling you away from this relationship it will be best for your health and wellbeing.
It’s also not a bad idea to consider pre-marital counseling, which can be a safe, supportive environment for couples to talk about expectations and boundaries. It may also help you to gain more insight into your own sexual desires and needs.
3. Change Your Environment
Many individuals who make the decision to stop having sex before marriage fail because they do not take steps to change their environment. In order to successfully break the habit, it is important that individuals surround themselves with a group of people who support them and are on the same journey as they are.
Additionally, spending time with friends can decrease wandering thoughts and can help individuals stay focused on the positive aspects of abstinence. It is also a good idea to start journaling, as this can be an effective way to process emotions and to communicate with oneself in a healthy manner.
Individuals who have a hard time abstaining from sex should consider seeing a counselor or psychologist, as they may be able to receive the proper guidance and treatment needed to overcome their problem. Those who are struggling with sexual addiction should seek the help of a Christian sex recovery program to assist them in their journey to overcoming the problem.
The Bible makes it very clear that sex should be reserved for marriage and that there are severe consequences for those who violate this commandment. While it can be difficult to flee fornication in our hyper-sexualized culture, God has provided a number of ways for His children to remain pure until they marry, including sound wisdom, realistic planning, genuine accountability, and pointed prayer.
4. Pray
Oftentimes, individuals who struggle with sex before marriage have underlying issues that need to be dealt with. Whether it be low self-esteem or a lack of understanding about how God designed sexuality, these issues need to be addressed in order to stop the cycle. For some individuals, it may be necessary to seek the counsel of a professional counselor or psychologist.
One of the best ways to stop having sex before marriage is to pray for wisdom. It is also important to talk to your significant other about your journey. Having a clear understanding of your journey and your reasons for abstaining from sex will help prevent sexual temptation in the future.
Finally, it is important to make sure that you are not dating someone who is going to tempt you. It is vital to disclose your abstinence from sex as early as possible in the relationship so that your beau does not assume you are interested in premarital sex. Moreover, you should never kiss someone who you do not intend to marry. This will lead to serious emotional and spiritual damage in the long run.
Sexual sin is a difficult thing to stop, but the key to stopping is sound wisdom, realistic planning, genuine accountability, and pointed prayer. When you feel the urge, remember that you have been washed clean by Christ’s blood and should not return to the filth he has purged.
