One thing that has surprised me since becoming a Christian has been the number of Christians who seem to think that it's okay to live with their boy/girlfriend outside of marriage. I really don't see how anybody justifies this biblically. Even in the strictest Baptist churches in my area you'll find church members doing this. I don't know if it's a regional thing (I live in rural WV) or a more widespread problem in the church. I wish more ministers would speak out against it. I don't understand why people are so lax about it. As a teacher I've seen that it has a negative effect on the children produced in these relationships since there is no stability in the family unit.
Cohabitation
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They probably figure that if their getting married soon, it don't matter, if they are abstaining from sex. The fact is, living together before marriage is biblically and morally wrong, because temptation is that much closer. You would think church members would know better!! lol
The question is, do the people in the church "Make" Disciples", Baptize "Disciples" and teach "Disciples" "TO OBEY" "ALL" That God commands them. If they don't, then they aren't "Christian" churches in the first place. "The "DISCIPLES" were first called Christians in Antioch." "Many will say to Me, Lord, Lord, ... did we not ____ "in your name" and ____ In your name ... and I will say to them, depart from Me ye who work iniquity for I NEVER knew you."
No, I do not recommend that you join a false Christian church, led by the lost who have never known Christ, with the blind leading the blind. Trust me, anyone who attends our church and is discovered to have such a mindset will quickly be guided to passages like 1 Cor. 7, and, in the classes I teach, we cover issues like why Solomon was never used to illustrate ungodly lust gone amuck, and why God only reproved him for his sin, "Taking foreign wives", why David didn't commit adultery until he took his 7th wife, even though he had kids with 5 of the prior 6. Why all lust is not ungodly, and where EXACTLY God places the boundary. God giving David his first wives, and saying that He would have given David more if only he would not have committed adultery ... The sin unto death, and God's reproof of Christians ... and, to the dismay of some of my peers, I teach fully all of what the word of God says on the topic of how, when, why, with what, for what purpose ... we are all commanded to reprove each other ... (Which differs from our church practices right now) and things like why we have Elkins and Deders instead of Elders and Deacons, and the clear biblical separation of roles, that elders are to refute common heresies in front of the entire congregation, and even invite public discussion on these issues, and thus had better have their ducks in a row doctrinally.
Like I said, not everyone in even our church agrees on all points. That they are open to having public discussions on all of these issues, and allow us to discuss the meaning of all scripture, even when the official church guidelines are contrary to scripture, says something. Yes, to some, some of my views are heretical. I invite public debate where we examine all of the passages that "might" apply to the topic, all the situations where the behaviors and actions of God and godly people throughout scripture speak on the issue, either out loud, or by their conspicuous lack of reply. (i.e. if we have created a command, as men, and are labeling it a command of God, 1.) Those said to be godly will seemingly be violating a command of God and 2.) God will seemingly ignore the conspicuous violation of His command. 3.) In some cases, God Himself will seemingly commit sin, or enable the sins of men.
All of these, and holding to a meaning of all words/root words that is consistent with their usage throughout the Septuagint and the N.T. manuscripts, is essential for those that want to figure out EXACTLY what God says and means, and want to believe, and live in accordance with the fullness of ALL the scripture with ALL of it cut straight.
It seems you agree, do not join a non-Christian church, just as you said. Find a Christian church. It won't be perfect, and if it were, and you or I joined it, we would ruin it. If you agree with all my beliefs, only one thing is assured ... you are wrong. The trick is in figuring out where our beliefs go astray from what God thinks, believes, wants, desires, does, doesn't do, says and doesn't say ... not in gathering scripture we can "use" to prove our beliefs true, and that we can "use" to prove all opposing beliefs false, altering scriptures meaning to force it to fit, ignoring the context, flow of thought, flow of discussions and arguments surrounding each passage, and altering the meaning of words to fit what we want to believe. Anyone and everyone in the world can do this. And, this is exactly what we do if we love our beliefs, and do not love truth. That which we love least is always altered to conform with that which we love most. What we habitually do with the word of God proves on which side of this issue we are on.
No, I do not recommend that you join a false Christian church, led by the lost who have never known Christ, with the blind leading the blind. Trust me, anyone who attends our church and is discovered to have such a mindset will quickly be guided to passages like 1 Cor. 7, and, in the classes I teach, we cover issues like why Solomon was never used to illustrate ungodly lust gone amuck, and why God only reproved him for his sin, "Taking foreign wives", why David didn't commit adultery until he took his 7th wife, even though he had kids with 5 of the prior 6. Why all lust is not ungodly, and where EXACTLY God places the boundary. God giving David his first wives, and saying that He would have given David more if only he would not have committed adultery ... The sin unto death, and God's reproof of Christians ... and, to the dismay of some of my peers, I teach fully all of what the word of God says on the topic of how, when, why, with what, for what purpose ... we are all commanded to reprove each other ... (Which differs from our church practices right now) and things like why we have Elkins and Deders instead of Elders and Deacons, and the clear biblical separation of roles, that elders are to refute common heresies in front of the entire congregation, and even invite public discussion on these issues, and thus had better have their ducks in a row doctrinally.
Like I said, not everyone in even our church agrees on all points. That they are open to having public discussions on all of these issues, and allow us to discuss the meaning of all scripture, even when the official church guidelines are contrary to scripture, says something. Yes, to some, some of my views are heretical. I invite public debate where we examine all of the passages that "might" apply to the topic, all the situations where the behaviors and actions of God and godly people throughout scripture speak on the issue, either out loud, or by their conspicuous lack of reply. (i.e. if we have created a command, as men, and are labeling it a command of God, 1.) Those said to be godly will seemingly be violating a command of God and 2.) God will seemingly ignore the conspicuous violation of His command. 3.) In some cases, God Himself will seemingly commit sin, or enable the sins of men.
All of these, and holding to a meaning of all words/root words that is consistent with their usage throughout the Septuagint and the N.T. manuscripts, is essential for those that want to figure out EXACTLY what God says and means, and want to believe, and live in accordance with the fullness of ALL the scripture with ALL of it cut straight.
It seems you agree, do not join a non-Christian church, just as you said. Find a Christian church. It won't be perfect, and if it were, and you or I joined it, we would ruin it. If you agree with all my beliefs, only one thing is assured ... you are wrong. The trick is in figuring out where our beliefs go astray from what God thinks, believes, wants, desires, does, doesn't do, says and doesn't say ... not in gathering scripture we can "use" to prove our beliefs true, and that we can "use" to prove all opposing beliefs false, altering scriptures meaning to force it to fit, ignoring the context, flow of thought, flow of discussions and arguments surrounding each passage, and altering the meaning of words to fit what we want to believe. Anyone and everyone in the world can do this. And, this is exactly what we do if we love our beliefs, and do not love truth. That which we love least is always altered to conform with that which we love most. What we habitually do with the word of God proves on which side of this issue we are on.
Hmm, I thought when the man and the woman become one flesh they leave their parents' homes and cohabitate, thus marriage. So it would seem to me the problem is not living together, but rather is staying together.
When churches generally teach that people get saved without having to forsake their sin and that Christian's sin in thought, word and deed everyday, then, honestly, what is the big deal if people are fornicating?
It is not fornication if you stay with your one woman, or in the case of the woman, that she stays with her one man.
the problem is the law of the land stipulates what constittutes the legality of marriage and the epistles state that we must obey all authorities and laws as long as they are good . and this law concerning marriage is good , married is of legal obligatifore it is sin to live unwed and the u,s law ordinates to be recognized as a marriage it must have legal establishment....
The Lord speaks of not honoring sex in a Godly way so people can be joined without it being in God's way as like joining with a false God. It is a major breaking of being with God in our life. We are even told to get it out of our churches.
Accepting fornication in our churches hasn't stopped there. Many Christians speak against law. Many have no idea what the word law means as God speaks of it, using the word law instead of Torah. Many think that by keeping to God in their life it would mean turning people away from Christ instead of bringing them to Him. Many see the Godly life as restrictive and hard, when it is freeing and lets love into our life. Instead, we allow sin in as part of church, and sin always brings grief and pain. We say we do it to be loving, but it is anything but loving to accept sin as normal.
Accepting fornication in our churches hasn't stopped there. Many Christians speak against law. Many have no idea what the word law means as God speaks of it, using the word law instead of Torah. Many think that by keeping to God in their life it would mean turning people away from Christ instead of bringing them to Him. Many see the Godly life as restrictive and hard, when it is freeing and lets love into our life. Instead, we allow sin in as part of church, and sin always brings grief and pain. We say we do it to be loving, but it is anything but loving to accept sin as normal.
Apostol:
This is true. There are lands where multiple marriage is permitted. You can obey God and move, or ... you can seek for a way to be married, as far as God is concerned, and not violate the laws of the land you are in. If you have a need to speed for example, and you have the cash, you can rent a race car and drive 180 mph and not violate any law. The other part is when the laws of the land nullify a command of God. If you are required, by the law, to disobey the command of God, who do you obey God or men?
All things need to be studied and prayerfully considered. For those weak in faith, remember, whatever is not from faith is sin, even if it isn't a command of God in the first place.
This is true. There are lands where multiple marriage is permitted. You can obey God and move, or ... you can seek for a way to be married, as far as God is concerned, and not violate the laws of the land you are in. If you have a need to speed for example, and you have the cash, you can rent a race car and drive 180 mph and not violate any law. The other part is when the laws of the land nullify a command of God. If you are required, by the law, to disobey the command of God, who do you obey God or men?
All things need to be studied and prayerfully considered. For those weak in faith, remember, whatever is not from faith is sin, even if it isn't a command of God in the first place.
B
biscuit
Guest
We are to obey the "law of the land" as long as it doesn't infringe on God's doctrines. In this case it does.
Fornication is one of many sins that will keep you out of heaven.
B
biscuit
Guest
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[TD="width: 593, align: left"][h=1]Why is living together before marriage considered living in sin?[/h]
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[TD="width: 593, align: left"][h=1]Why is living together before marriage considered living in sin?[/h]
Question: "Why is living together before marriage considered living in sin?"
Answer: This question could be much more easily answered if the Bible made a clear proclamation such as “living together before marriage or outside of marriage is living in sin.” Since the Bible makes no such definitive statement, many (including some who profess to be Christians) claim that living together outside of marriage is not living in sin. Perhaps the reason the Bible does not make a clear statement is that, in Bible times, the arrangement of unmarried people living as husband and wife was relatively rare, especially among the Jews and Christians. For the purposes of this article, when we refer to living together, we are referring to living together in the sense of living as husband and wife, including sexual relations, without being married. We are not referring to a man and woman living in the same house without sexual relations. That issue is covered in another article.
While the Bible does not make an explicit statement about living in sin, that is not to say the Bible is completely silent on this issue. Rather, we have to put several Scriptures together and glean from them the principle that any sexuality outside of the marriage of one man and one woman is definitely sin. There are numerous Scriptures that declare God’s prohibition of sexual immorality (Acts 15:20; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:13,18; 10:8; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Jude 7). The Greek word translated “sexual immorality” or “fornication” in these verses is porneia (from which we get the English wordpornography), and it means literally “unlawful lust.” Since the only form of lawful sexuality is the marriage of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5), then anything outside of marriage, whether it is adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, or anything else, is unlawful, in other words, sin. Living together before marriage definitely falls into the category of fornication—sexual sin.
Hebrews 13:4 describes the honorable state of marriage: “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” This verse draws a clear distinction between that which is pure and honorable—marriage—and that which is sexually immoral—anything outside of marriage. As living together outside of marriage falls into this category, it is definitely sin. Anyone living together outside of lawful marriage invites the displeasure and judgment of God.
Recommended Resources: Why True Love Waits by Josh McDowell and Logos Bible Software.
Answer: This question could be much more easily answered if the Bible made a clear proclamation such as “living together before marriage or outside of marriage is living in sin.” Since the Bible makes no such definitive statement, many (including some who profess to be Christians) claim that living together outside of marriage is not living in sin. Perhaps the reason the Bible does not make a clear statement is that, in Bible times, the arrangement of unmarried people living as husband and wife was relatively rare, especially among the Jews and Christians. For the purposes of this article, when we refer to living together, we are referring to living together in the sense of living as husband and wife, including sexual relations, without being married. We are not referring to a man and woman living in the same house without sexual relations. That issue is covered in another article.
While the Bible does not make an explicit statement about living in sin, that is not to say the Bible is completely silent on this issue. Rather, we have to put several Scriptures together and glean from them the principle that any sexuality outside of the marriage of one man and one woman is definitely sin. There are numerous Scriptures that declare God’s prohibition of sexual immorality (Acts 15:20; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:13,18; 10:8; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Jude 7). The Greek word translated “sexual immorality” or “fornication” in these verses is porneia (from which we get the English wordpornography), and it means literally “unlawful lust.” Since the only form of lawful sexuality is the marriage of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5), then anything outside of marriage, whether it is adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, or anything else, is unlawful, in other words, sin. Living together before marriage definitely falls into the category of fornication—sexual sin.
Hebrews 13:4 describes the honorable state of marriage: “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” This verse draws a clear distinction between that which is pure and honorable—marriage—and that which is sexually immoral—anything outside of marriage. As living together outside of marriage falls into this category, it is definitely sin. Anyone living together outside of lawful marriage invites the displeasure and judgment of God.
Recommended Resources: Why True Love Waits by Josh McDowell and Logos Bible Software.
Related Topics:
What does the Bible say about sex before marriage / premarital sex?
What is an appropriate level of intimacy before marriage?
What constitutes marriage according to the Bible?
What does the Bible say about the concept of a common law marriage?
Is it right for a Christian to date or marry a non-Christian?
What does the Bible say about sex before marriage / premarital sex?
What is an appropriate level of intimacy before marriage?
What constitutes marriage according to the Bible?
What does the Bible say about the concept of a common law marriage?
Is it right for a Christian to date or marry a non-Christian?
Why is living together before marriage considered living in sin?
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What does the Bible say about pandemic diseases/sicknesses?
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14
Preferred Bible Version:
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Got Books?
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Bisquit: This is all very nice and thank you for the long expansion of what God says about it, but I wonder that we need all this when we can just go to how God created sex and marriage and go by that. Wouldn't the world of the Lord be wonderful if we just accepted what God says as gospel without needing more! Scripture talks about this when it speaks of the greek influence in thinking. Hebrew thinking just sort of said, when God said jump they said how high? Greek thinking said why, how, are you sure?
P
PeteWaldo
Guest
I think it has more to do with the prophesied apostasy.
FALLING AWAY OR APOSTASY
The gradual abandoning of the preaching of repentance over the last half century, to instead have folks parrot a "sinners prayer", and then them believing they are "in" and OSAS regardless of their serial sin.
Welcome to the 21st-century-church, where you're a bigot if you really believe the Bible or hold conservative moral standards. Even in the opinion of other church-goers, where they prefer terms like "legalistic" and "unloving". (Not to say there's no such thing as legalism and unloving.) They love to judge you for judging, hypocrites to the bone.
B
biscuit
Guest
LOL!! I agree with you. It is funny that I usually don't receive challenges or arguments when I provide a link.
If you've been with the same women ten, twenty years, and neither have broken that bond to one another....your married,
now "law" marriage... my pop been through 3 of um, so really could care less about the paper contract of business or a ring. If you are a unit, a ring will not be the outcome, a good family will be. When I have the money, sure I would love to get her a ring and even do a honeymoon, but because I did this wrong and not had a ring on her finger should I outcast them?
Am I not forgiven? Is my lady "wife" and son not forgiven? ....
now "law" marriage... my pop been through 3 of um, so really could care less about the paper contract of business or a ring. If you are a unit, a ring will not be the outcome, a good family will be. When I have the money, sure I would love to get her a ring and even do a honeymoon, but because I did this wrong and not had a ring on her finger should I outcast them?
Am I not forgiven? Is my lady "wife" and son not forgiven? ....
God looks at our heart and our heart leads our actions. You really can't so much as move your arm without first thinking that you will move it, so actions do count. Someone who says we'll have sex, but I don't want to do the legal stuff usually can't be trusted and is trying to fool someone because their heart would lead them into the actions.
Have sex? I have a family brother... And your right God does know your heart.
My sons 2 and a half that I watch daily all of his life, I believe my actions speak by the way I live ..not a ring
but do want the money for all that...brother