What do you think?

I wanted to start this debate with you all because I think it's interesting to hear/read other people's opinions and Scripture references that they can bring to the table. It should help us singles grow in understanding of God's love for us and hopefully help us wait for the plan God has for us.


Where are the lines drawn in a relationship before you go too far?


What does the Bible say about crossing boundaries?


How do humanistic view compare with Biblical truth?

Once we start entertaining these thoughts we get into lust. If we encourage our partner to also lust - we are encouraging a fellow Christian to sin, and we are creating a stumbling block for our Christian sibling.
I know it isn't easy - but if we could just remember that first and foremost we are brothers and sisters in Christ who should be encouraging each other to grow in our spiritual walk - not tempting each other to sin - we'd be a lot better off.

I've heard pastors say that dating couples are always asking them how far they can do. How far is "too far." But that's the wrong question. The question is "God, how can I honor and glorify you in everything I do?" If you ask that question about everything, and listen to your conscience, and the conscience of the person you're dating, *and* your conscience hasn't already been seared by sin, and you're well-informed by scripture so that you can think biblically, then you should be in a good place.

The best encouragement that any of us can receive is a solid "No." when dealing with affection that might go too far. A solid "No." doesn't mean that you don't love the other person, rather it is saying I love you enough not to take this to a place where we will displease God.

Great input guys! I was hoping to inspire some debate on what can be one of the hardest issues in Christian living today...the sanctity of marriage.


As Christians we are commanded to wait until marriage. So how come is it so difficult to abstain from the one you love? Well, by God's grace and power we can, despite what the world says. Some of us, including me, need a lot of prayer, grace, and strength to resist the temptations.


The marriage bed should be a place of honor without being defiled because marriage reflects our relationship with God. It is a love that honors. It is a choice to please God by submitting to His will. It is a choice to uphold His statutes and design for our lives. Likewise, we must do that for our future spouse.


I agree with Winn. This is a topic that needs to be discussed with the future spouse. Holyghost Girl has good points too. Perhaps this really is three threads. Yet, doesn't God set "boundaries" for us? Where we are freed from man's law by Jesus' sacrifice, are we not bound by God's law as believers?


God's law is that we wait for marriage so that He might intensely bless us. I broke that law for the first time in January. I almost lost the relationship because it provided a "barrier" between my man and myself. We are gradually getting back to the Spiritual connection that we shared before the act of selfishness. Fortunately there are a few states between us to hold the physical relationship at bay. As a woman of faith, I am praying that God takes away the physical desire until marriage, and rekindles and intensifiesthe Spiritual desire along with emotional chemistry.


I agree with Tim and Beverly LaHaye, Dr. Ed Wheat, and Gary Smalley that the "act of marriage" should only occur within marriage. Any other way, it is just a "self" act without regard or honor to the other person.