Abstinence, the practice of refraining from certain activities (often referring to sexual intimacy before marriage), is a topic addressed in various parts of the Bible. Bible verses on this subject offer guidance, perspective, and encouragement for those considering or practicing abstinence.
These verses often emphasize the importance of purity, self-control, and honoring God with our bodies. They highlight the blessings and protection that come from reserving sexual intimacy for the context of marriage. Additionally, the Bible promotes a counter-cultural perspective, emphasizing that our worth and identity are not based on sexual experiences, but on our relationship with God.
As we explore Bible verses about abstinence, may those seeking to live a pure life find support and encouragement. May these verses illuminate God’s design for sexuality and inspire us to honor Him with our choices, regardless of cultural pressures.
Also Read:Bible Verses About Favoritism (with Explanations)
Bible Verses About Abstinence
1 Corinthians 6:18
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.”
This verse from Corinthians underscores the call to abstain from sexual immorality. Paul’s strong language emphasizes the distinctive impact of this sin on one’s own body.
The imagery of fleeing urges believers to actively avoid situations that could lead to moral compromise. It is a poignant reminder of the importance of guarding one’s purity and maintaining a sanctified lifestyle.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
“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.”
In Thessalonians, the call to abstinence is directly linked to the will of God for believers’ sanctification. This passage underscores the responsibility each person has in maintaining control over their own body, highlighting the virtue of holiness and honor.
It paints a picture of a life marked by self-discipline and respect for God’s intended design for relationships.
Ephesians 5:3
“But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.”
The Ephesians passage calls for a standard of living that rejects any association with sexual immorality. The command is clear – such behaviors are not fitting for those who identify as saints.
This emphasizes the transformative power of abstinence, aligning one’s conduct with the elevated moral standards expected of those who follow Christ.
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’s exhortation to abstain from fleshly passions is framed within the context of being sojourners and exiles.
It connects abstinence with the spiritual battle for the soul, portraying it as a critical aspect of maintaining spiritual well-being in the midst of life’s journey.
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.”
In Matthew, Jesus takes the principle of abstinence beyond physical actions to the realm of thoughts and intentions.
By addressing the heart, this verse emphasizes the holistic nature of purity, encouraging believers to guard not only their actions but also their internal life.
Galatians 5:19-21
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality… I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians categorically lists sexual immorality as a work of the flesh and issues a strong warning regarding its consequences.
The connection between engaging in such behaviors and exclusion from the kingdom of God underscores the seriousness with which abstinence is regarded in the Christian walk.
1 Corinthians 7:1-2
“Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: ‘It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.’ But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.”
This passage in Corinthians acknowledges the potential challenges of abstinence and introduces the concept of marital relations as a means to maintain purity.
It recognizes the natural human inclination and provides guidance on navigating this aspect of life while upholding the value of sexual purity.
Hebrews 13:4
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
Hebrews accentuates the sanctity of marriage, urging believers to honor it. The emphasis on keeping the marriage bed undefiled highlights the significance of sexual purity within the sacred covenant of marriage.
The verse introduces the concept of divine judgment, underlining the eternal consequences of sexual immorality and adultery.
Proverbs 5:15-20
“Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well… Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth.”
Proverbs employs metaphorical language to convey the exclusivity and joy of marital intimacy. The imagery of one’s own cistern and well emphasizes the privacy and satisfaction found within the bounds of marriage.
This passage encourages believers to find fulfillment and rejoicing in the commitment to their spouse.
1 Corinthians 6:15-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!”
In this Corinthians passage, Paul addresses the profound spiritual implications of sexual immorality. It delves into the union between believers and Christ, highlighting the incongruity of using one’s body, a member of Christ, for immoral purposes.
The commentary would elaborate on the theological depth of this connection and its implications for believers’ conduct.
1 Corinthians 10:8
“We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.”
This verse references a historical event from the Old Testament, emphasizing the severe consequences of sexual immorality. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the destructive impact of straying from God’s standards.
The commentary would explore the balance between divine warnings and the grace offered for repentance.
Job 31:1
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?”
Job’s declaration of making a covenant with his eyes speaks to the intentional commitment to avoid lustful gazes.
This verse provides a practical expression of abstinence, highlighting the role of personal responsibility in maintaining purity, even in the realm of visual temptation.
Romans 6:12-13
“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life.”
Romans underscores the need for believers to actively resist the influence of sin in their bodies. The commentary would delve into the transformative aspect of presenting oneself to God, emphasizing the contrast between yielding to passions and living a life resurrected with Christ.
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.”
This exhortation from Timothy encourages believers to actively flee from youthful passions and pursue virtues that align with a life dedicated to God.
The verse emphasizes the communal aspect of maintaining purity, walking alongside fellow believers with pure hearts. The commentary would explore the significance of this collective pursuit and its impact on individual choices.
Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 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, in the Sermon on the Mount, extends the understanding of adultery beyond the act itself to include the intentions of the heart. This profound teaching challenges believers to address not only external actions but the internal attitudes that lead to impurity.
The commentary would explore the transformative nature of Christ’s teachings on purity, urging believers to cultivate a heart aligned with God’s standards.
Ephesians 5:3-5
“But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints… For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
Ephesians provides a comprehensive perspective on sexual morality, linking it to the identity and inheritance of believers. The commentary would delve into the concept of holiness among saints and the serious consequences highlighted in Paul’s words.
This passage emphasizes the importance of maintaining a lifestyle that reflects the values of God’s kingdom.
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 Thessalonians passage explicitly outlines God’s will regarding believers’ sanctification, pinpointing the need to abstain from sexual immorality.
The commentary would explore the practical aspects of controlling one’s body in holiness, emphasizing the contrast between the lifestyle of believers and those who do not know God.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
“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.”
In these verses, Paul emphasizes the sanctity of our bodies as dwelling places for the Holy Spirit. The call to honor God with our bodies extends to practicing abstinence from anything that tarnishes the purity of this sacred temple.
Proverbs 5:18-19 (ESV)
“Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.”
While celebrating the beauty of marital intimacy, these verses underscore the exclusivity and joy within the covenant of marriage.
Abstinence outside of this sacred union ensures that such intimacy remains a source of deep connection and fulfillment.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (NLT)
“God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.”
Paul encourages believers to abstain from sexual immorality, emphasizing the pursuit of holiness and self-control.
This passage underscores that abstinence aligns with God’s will for a life marked by honor and holiness.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.”
Within the context of the fruits of the Spirit, self-control is highlighted. Abstinence becomes a manifestation of the Spirit’s work in our lives, contributing to a life characterized by love, joy, and peace.
Ephesians 5:3 (NLT)
“Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.”
This verse from Ephesians emphasizes the incompatibility of sexual immorality with the identity of God’s people.
Abstinence from such sins becomes a tangible expression of living in accordance with our divine calling.
Matthew 5:27-28 (ESV)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 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 elevates the standard beyond mere physical actions, highlighting the importance of purity in our thoughts and desires.
Abstinence from lustful intentions is emphasized as crucial in maintaining righteousness.
Colossians 3:5 (NIV)
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
In Colossians, the call is to actively eliminate behaviors that stem from our earthly nature. Abstinence from immoral desires is portrayed as a deliberate choice to align with a transformed, Christ-centered life.
Galatians 5:16
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Galatians presents a key principle for believers in overcoming desires that lead to impurity – walking by the Spirit. The commentary would elaborate on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers away from gratifying fleshly desires.
This verse encourages a proactive reliance on the Spirit for victorious Christian living.
1 Corinthians 7:1-2
“Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: ‘It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.’ But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.”
Paul addresses practical aspects of sexual purity in the context of marriage in this Corinthians passage. The commentary would explore the balance between abstaining for spiritual reasons and the provision of marriage as a means to avoid sexual immorality.
This verse contributes to the broader biblical understanding of maintaining purity within the guidelines set by God.
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’s exhortation to abstain from the passions of the flesh underscores the spiritual battle believers face. The commentary would delve into the imagery of sojourners and exiles, emphasizing the temporary nature of this life and the importance of maintaining purity amidst worldly challenges.
This verse motivates believers to stand firm against the soul-warring desires.
James 4:7-8
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
James provides practical guidance on resisting impurity by submitting to God, resisting the devil, and drawing near to God.
The commentary would explore the dynamic relationship between spiritual submission, resistance, and drawing near to God. This passage encourages believers to actively engage in the process of purification through a genuine pursuit of God.
1 John 2:15-17
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”
John’s warning against loving the world and its desires connects directly to the theme of abstinence from impurity.
The commentary would explore the profound implications of aligning one’s affections with either God or the world. This passage challenges believers to evaluate their priorities and resist the allure of worldly passions.
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.”
In Paul’s guidance to Timothy, there’s a clear call to actively flee from youthful passions and actively pursue virtues that align with righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
The commentary would delve into the practical aspects of fleeing from impurity and the communal nature of this pursuit. This verse emphasizes the importance of both personal commitment and supportive community in the journey of abstinence.
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.”
Paul’s explicit command to flee from sexual immorality is grounded in the understanding of the believer’s body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.
The commentary would explore the profound theological implications of this passage, emphasizing the sacredness of the believer’s body and the responsibility to glorify God through it. This verse provides a powerful motivation for maintaining purity in light of the divine dwelling within.
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.”
Paul reassures the Corinthian believers that God’s faithfulness includes providing a way of escape in times of temptation.
The commentary would explore the comforting nature of this verse, emphasizing God’s understanding of human struggles and His active role in enabling believers to resist temptation. This passage encourages a perspective of hope and reliance on God’s faithfulness in the pursuit of abstinence.
Also Read:Bible Verses About Favoritism (with Explanations)
What Does the Bible Say About Abstinence?
Abstinence, in the biblical context, refers to the intentional decision to refrain from certain behaviors or practices, often for the sake of spiritual purity, obedience to God’s commands, or personal discipline.
The Bible addresses abstinence in various contexts, including sexual purity, self-control, and separation from worldly influences. Here are some key aspects of what the Bible says about abstinence:
Sexual Purity: One of the most prominent areas where abstinence is emphasized in the Bible is in matters of sexual behavior. Scripture consistently teaches the importance of sexual purity outside of marriage and the sacredness of the marital relationship (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, Hebrews 13:4).
Self-Control: Abstinence often involves exercising self-control over one’s desires and impulses. The Bible speaks extensively about the importance of self-control in various aspects of life, including managing emotions, speech, and actions (Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Peter 1:5-7).
Avoiding Temptation: The Bible acknowledges the reality of temptation but also assures believers that God provides a way to escape temptation and endure trials (1 Corinthians 10:13, James 4:7). Abstinence, in this context, involves actively resisting temptation and seeking God’s strength to overcome it.
A Short Prayer for Strength and Guidance in Abstinence
Heavenly Father,
Grant me the strength and wisdom to walk the path of abstinence with unwavering determination. Guide my steps, Lord, as I seek to honor You through self-control and purity.
May Your presence be my constant source of encouragement, helping me overcome challenges and find fulfillment in Your perfect plan.
In moments of weakness, be my refuge, and may Your Spirit empower me to embrace the virtue of abstinence for Your glory.
Amen.