The Bible is very particular about what kind of touching is permissible and what isn’t. One of these is having sexual contact, primarily touching one’s breasts outside marriage. This is because such sexual activity leads to sinful acts of sexual immorality, and is thus condemned in the Bible.. Matthew 15:19-20 says, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”
Sexual immorality is mentioned as one thing that comes from the heart and defiles a person. This means that it’s not just a physical act but something that starts in the heart. What we think and how we view others affects our actions. If we think of others as objects to be used for our pleasure, then it’s not surprising that we would act on those thoughts and touch them in a sexual way.
However, the Bible gives hope for those who struggle with sexual sin. If you’re one of them, it’s not too late to be forgiven by God. This is only possible if you repent and turn away from doing it and instead commit to leading a life that honors and respects Him. Ezekiel 36:26 says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
Why Do Many People Engage in Sexual Immorality?
It is a common misconception that the Bible is vague or confusing on its stance about moral issues. God has clearly laid out His standards for human behavior in both the Old and New Testaments but people choose to ignore what the Bible says because it doesn’t match their desires or just that they can’t control their sexual arousal. Even more, they allowed themselves to be tempted by someone else’s lewdness.
As the Apostle Paul warned, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (II Timothy 4:3-4). ” The Bible clearly states that sexual touching outside of marriage is wrong and is considered a sin. Thus, intimate relationships are only allowable in God’s eyes if a man and a woman is already married. Otherwise, they would be punished to death by committing sexual immorality, which could either be adultery (infidelity) and fornication (premarital or extramarital sex). I Corinthians 7:1-2 says, ”…It is good for a man not to touch a woman. But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.”.
What Does the Bible Say About Sexual Acts Outside of Marriage?
In the early Christian church, fornication was referred to as the sexual intercourse outside of marriage. This can be in the form of adultery—sex between a married person and someone who is not their spouse. The word “fornication” is derived from the Latin word fornix, which means arch or vault. .
Fornication is also applied to illicit sexual intercourse among married people. This means that if you and your spouse engage in things like sadomasochism and anal sex, you are fornicators. After all, sex in marriage is supposed to be a sign of love and affection. Illicit sexual intercourse does not align with what God has made sex all about. Therefore, such an act is considered sexually immoral.
The Bible says that those who willfully engage in sexual immorality will never inherit in God’s kingdom and so to His promises of eternal life. “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor revilers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 (Corinthians 6:9-10).
When Does Sexual Immorality Start?
Many think that sexual immorality manifests when a person acts on their sexual desires outside marriage. But that’s not true! Sexual immorality starts when a person fantasizes or thinks about acting on their sexual desires outside of marriage. This is proven in Mark 7:20-23, which says, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
Many people mistakenly believe that as long as they are not physically having sex, they are not sinning. However, this is not the case. The Bible makes it clear that lustful thoughts are just as sinful as lustful actions. Therefore, any act which causes you or the person you are with to contemplate having sex is also sinful. And even though it doesn’t affect you, you still share responsibility when you encourage sinful thoughts in others. This is why, nowadays, it is so important to be careful about what you watch, read, and listen to.
All too often, people are unaware of the way that seemingly innocent media can plant lustful thoughts in their minds. We must constantly be on guard against anything that might cause us to think about sex outside of marriage. Only then can we stay pure in thought and deed.
The New Testament’s Perspective on Lasciviousness, Sexual Conduct, and Sanctification
The New Testament discusses the sins of the senses, also known as lasciviousness or lewdness. The Greek word for this is aselgeia, which means someone who lacks shame or acts like they’re allowed to sin. It is usually associated with sexual conduct as it reflects a powerful yearning in the body.
Peter speaks, “For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.” (II Peter 2:18). In simpler terms, these influencers use their sexuality to draw in followers while saying nothing of substance.
Lasciviousness or aselgeia can also be seen in Paul’s instructions to Timothy regarding widows. He instructs that younger widows should marry so that they don’t engage in actions that would dishonor God:
“As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.” (I Timothy 5:11-15).
Some words help clarify the meaning of sanctification and sexual immorality. These words are mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6:
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified”
To understand these verses better, let us define the terms sanctification, abstain, sexual immorality, His own vessel, honor, passion, and lust.
Sanctification
Sanctification means to be set apart for God’s purposes. . be more like Him.
Abstain
To abstain means to refrain from something. In the context of sexual purity, it means to refrain from sexual activity. The Bible calls us to abstain from all sexual immorality so that our bodies would be holy and pleasing to God.
Sexual Immorality
Sexual immorality pertains to any sexual activity outside of marriage. This includes activities such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bestiality, and incest. The Bible makes it very clear that sexual immorality is a sin and is to be avoided.
His Own Vessel
This pertains to our bodies, which are to be used for God’s glory and not for sexual immorality. Our bodies are to be treated with respect and honor. The Bible says that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should not be defiled.
Touching breasts would fall under the category of sexual immorality and is, therefore, a sin.
Honor
Honor refers to treating someone with respect. There are many ways we can show honor to others. One way is by always respecting their boundaries and never crossing them without permission. This includes not touching someone in a sexual way without their consent.
Passion
Passion pertains to an intense desire or eagerness for something. In the context of touching breasts, passion can be seen as an act of pure physical desire without any emotional connection. Therefore, it is wrong and must be avoided.
Lust
Lust is an overpowering desire. It is defined in the dictionary as “an intense sexual desire or appetite.” The Bible has a lot to say about lust. In Matthew, Jesus says that if you look at a woman with lustful intent, you have already committed adultery with her in your heart (Matthew 5:27-28).
What this means is that lust is not just an act, but it can also be a thought or desire. This means that if you are thinking about touching someone’s breasts, even if you don’t do it, you have already sinned.
Religious Perspectives on Sex: Marriage, Morality, and Divine Disapproval
In today’s society, sex is considered a natural and normal part of life. However, this was not always the case. For centuries, sex was seen as a taboo subject, and it was not until the last few decades that it has become more openly accepted.
Even now, many people believe that sex is something that should be reserved for marriage. One of the main reasons for this belief is the belief that sex is a sacred act that should be shared between two people who are committed to each other for life. Another reason is the belief that sex should be used for procreation and not simply for pleasure. Sex outside of marriage is seen as selfish and self-indulgent, and it is often considered morally wrong.
While there are many different opinions on the matter, the Bible makes it clear that God disapproves of sex outside of marriage. In other words, focusing on things that ignite sexual desire in you or others is not what God wants for you. This is why pornography is sinful, but it’s also why sexual touching – also known as foreplay – is wrong when used by people who are not yet married. God groups passion and lusts in with other sins: “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience” (Colossians 3:5-6).
Understanding Sexual Boundaries Based on the Bible
Sexual boundaries are important in any relationship, especially in marriage. God designed sex and rules about it because He knows what is best for us. The Bible is very clear that sex is meant to be between a husband and wife. In Leviticus 18:6-29, God provides three simple boundaries for His people to follow regarding sexual relationships:an inner boundary, a middle boundary, and an outer boundary. By defining these boundaries, God is protecting His people from engaging in sinful behavior that would lead to His judgment, and of course, experience the joy and blessing of a healthy sexual relationship within marriage.
The Inner Boundary
Most people understand that sexual intercourse is designed for marriage. What many don’t realize, however, is just how closely linked sex and marriage really are. Its close connection helps to explain why sexual intercourse outside of marriage is so destructive. Not only does it violate God’s design for human sexuality, but it also severs the close bond between husband and wife.
Based on the covenant of marriage, the family is the fundamental unit of society.This covenant is symbolized by sexual intercourse that unites husband and wife as one flesh (Genesis 2:24). However, the family unit is damaged when this covenant is violated by sexual intercourse between family members. Leviticus 18:6-18 states:
6“‘No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the Lord.
7“‘Do not dishonor your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; do not have relations with her.
8“‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; that would dishonor your father.
9“‘Do not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere.
10“‘Do not have sexual relations with your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter; that would dishonor you.
11“‘Do not have sexual relations with the daughter of your father’s wife, born to your father; she is your sister.
12“‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s sister; she is your father’s close relative.
13“‘Do not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister, because she is your mother’s close relative.
14“‘Do not dishonor your father’s brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations; she is your aunt.
15“‘Do not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife; do not have relations with her.
16“‘Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother.
17“‘Do not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. Do not have sexual relations with either her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter; they are her close relatives. That is wickedness.
18 “‘Do not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living.”
The Middle Boundary
Sexual intercourse should not take place during a woman’s monthly period, as stated by Leviticus 18:19. Violating this law would result in the man being unclean for seven days, as well as the woman. However, if the act was done deliberately, then it would be punishable by death. The reason for this was that it was considered a violation of the holiness of God. Coming in contact with an unclean woman was strictly forbidden. Therefore, obeying this law was essential for maintaining holy living, according to the Bible.
In Leviticus 20, God gives a very clear commandment: do not have sexual intercourse with your neighbor’s wife. This may seem like a relatively minor sin. However, digging a little deeper, this verse is quite significant. Committing adultery allows partners to change their concept of sexuality. As a result, this causes divorce and later on commits adultery which is against God’s will (Matthew 5:31-32). T.
The Outer Boundary
It is no secret that the past century has seen a dramatic shift in people’s attitude towards religion. At the beginning of the 1900s, higher criticism began to chip away their faith in the Bible, and science embraced the theory of evolution. The church retreated in the face of this onslaught, and people began to feel liberated from God. This newfound freedom led to a loosening of attitudes towards sex, and sex became more recreational and less tied to marriage.
The sexual revolution of the 1960s led to a significant change in attitudes towards sex. Before this period, sex was considered a taboo subject and was not openly discussed. However, the sexual revolution led to a more open attitude towards sex, and people began to experiment with their sexuality. This period also saw the rise of the concept of free love, which encouraged people to have sex without commitment. In addition, the sexual revolution led to a greater acceptance of premarital sex and divorce. The changes that took place during this revolution had a profound impact on society, and their effects are still felt today.
How Can Singles Establish Dating Boundaries These Days?
Based on all the things we have learned about sexual immorality and the inner, middle, and outer boundaries of sexual boundaries in the Bible, it is very important for each of us to think about establishing personal boundaries in our dating relationships. This way, we would avoid missing out our spiritual connection with God. Here are some practical ways to do that:
1. Setting a Physical Boundary and Sticking to It
It is so easy to get caught up in the physical aspect of dating that we become so focused on rushing our intimate bond with someone that we forsake our relationship with God. For example, you may decide that you are not going to kiss on the first date. Or, you may decide that you are only going to hold hands. Whatever your physical boundary is, make sure you are clear about it with your date and stick to it. Otherwise you’d fall to fornication which is against God’s will.
2. Disciplining a Time Limit for your Dates
For example, you may decide that you are only going to go out on dates during the daytime. Or, you may decide that you will only go out on dates on weekdays. Whatever your time limit is, make sure you are disciplined and consistent about it with your loved one. .
3. Establishing and Strengthening Emotional and Spiritual Boundaries.
Establishing boundaries in your dating relationships is so important! It is a way to protect yourself from getting hurt emotionally and spiritually. It is also a way to show respect for your date and for God. And even though these boundaries might seem like they are restricting your fun, they will actually help you to be gentle, understanding, and faithful, among others, to your date and to God.
So, take some time to think about your boundaries in dating relationships. What are you not willing to do? What are you not willing to talk about? What are you not willing to do with your date? Make a list of these things and then share it with your date. This will help to establish a foundation of respect and trust in your relationship. And, it will help to protect you from getting hurt.
Is It Okay to Talk About Sex While Dating?
Yes, it is okay, and maybe even necessary, to talk about sex when you are dating. You and your date should discuss why abstinence is essential to you and your plans for remaining abstinent. You should also talk about your expectations for sexual activity in your relationship,like what is okay with you and what is not? This way, you’re making your boundaries matter in nourishing your relationship.
What Are the Most Common Dangers of Not Establishing Boundaries in Romantic Relationships?
While most romantic relationships make us feel like we have been swept off our feet by love, it is essential to remember that not all love stories have happy endings. Some relationships can be downright dangerous.
May the following dangers of relationship helps you and your partner to establish good bonds instead:
1. Physical Abuse. Physical abuse can range from hitting and slapping to more serious forms of violence, such as rape and murder. If you are in a relationship where you are being physically abused, getting help and getting out of the situation as soon as possible is essential.
2. Emotional Abuse. Emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse, and sometimes even more so. Emotional abuse can include verbal abuse, such as name-calling and put-downs, as well as more subtle forms of manipulation, such as gaslighting.
3. Financial Abuse. Financial abuse can occur when one partner controls all the money in the relationship and makes all the financial decisions. This can leave the other partner feeling powerless and trapped.
If you are in a romantic relationship that feels unhealthy or dangerous, it is crucial to reach out for help. The Bible clearly states that love should never involve abuse, violence, jealousy, or boast of any kind; rather of patience, kindness, and humility (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
Bottom Line
Although the Bible does not directly address the issue about touching breasts, it is clear that sexual intimacy is to be reserved for marriage. Thus, touching breasts would fall under the category of sexual immorality, which is something that God forbids. Moreover, touching breasts would likely lead to further sexual activity, which is also prohibited outside of marriage. So, if you’re not married, it’s best to avoid touching breasts altogether. One way to do that is by setting boundaries in your relationships, both physically and emotionally. Keep in mind to always center the Lord in your relationship not only to receive His blessings but also to guide your marriage or relationship as a couple. This way, you can avoid committing sexual immorality, which include adultery and fornication.
