What does the Bible say about shacking up? Many people are asking this question since, nowadays, many couples choose to live together before getting married. Others say living together before marriage is a sin, while some claim it’s acceptable as long as the couple is committed to each other. This blog post will let you know about shacking up and assess if it’s morally acceptable or not based on the Bible.
What Does Shacking Up Mean?
Nowadays, more people are shacking up than ever before. In fact, according to a recent study, cohabitation is now more common than marriage in the United States. This is because couples get tired of waiting longer to get married, and some believe living together first will help them know if they’re compatible as lifetime partners. Unlike in the past, couples needed to go through a common-law marriage before living together. This is because it was already abolished in the US in the late 1800s.
But what does “shacking up” mean? Shacking up, also known as cohabitation, means living together as a couple without being married. This is referred to as living in sin or fornication.
What Does the Bible Say About Shacking Up?
There are a few scriptures that mention shacking up, but the most direct is found in 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.” This verse is evident in its condemnation of sexual immorality and adultery as sins.
Another verse against shacking up is 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.” The condemnation of sexual immorality in this verse is indeed apparent. It implies that any sexual intercourse outside of marriage is sinful.
So, What’s the Verdict?
Based on the scriptures we’ve discussed and examined, we could infer that the Bible doesn’t condone shacking up. But, if you are a godly person and follow the righteousness of God’s kingdom, it’s essential to consider what the Bible says on this topic before making a decision.
What Does Society Have To Say About Shacking Up?
While the Bible is clear in its stance regarding shacking up, society is not so black and white, meaning the guidelines about shacking up evolve with every circumstance that presents itself. As a result, cohabitation has become increasingly accepted in recent years.
A recent study by the Pew Research Center found that 59% of Americans believe it is morally acceptable for an unmarried couple to live together. This significantly increased the 45% of Americans who thought it was morally acceptable in 2001.
The study also found that cohabitation is most common among young adults. It says 64% of adults ages 18–29 believe it is morally acceptable for an unmarried couple to live together. Although society has increasingly accepted shacking up in recent years, it’s essential to remember that the Bible’s stance on this issue has not changed.
What Does This Mean For You?
The Bible clarifies that sex is meant between a husband and wife. Any other sexual activity is considered sinful. This includes shacking up or living together without being married. God calls us to sanctify and dedicate ourselves to His service. When we choose to go against His will, we knowingly commit sin.
Furthermore, cohabiting couples are more likely to engage in sexually immoral behaviors like adultery, which are strongly condemned in the Bible. So, if you’re considering moving in together, be sure it’s for the right reasons.
Conclusion
Knowing that shacking up is a sin, it’s highly recommended to pray about it and seek wise counsel from trusted friends or mentors if you’re planning to do shacking up yet are a religious servant of God. But if you’re already doing it, you can repent and turn away from your sin right away. God is faithful and will forgive you when you confess your sin and ask for His forgiveness since He desires us to live under His words.
