Expert: Brenda Martin - 7/25/2010

Question
Im 18 and I have been dating my boyfriend for almost 2 years. I know the phrase "Im in love and I truely believe that I have met the person God meant for me to marry" is really overused and probably not true in most circumstances involving teenagers but I have to say that i mean it with all my heart. We are not having sex but we do have a "sexual" relationship. We wont get married for several more years until we are both out of college. My problem is: does God really expect us to have a platonic relationship for 5 years? and is what we are already doing sinful?

Answer
Can a couple who refrain from sexual intercourse still be guilty of fornication?.

amswer; yes-- The original Greek word translated “fornication” (por·nei′a) has a broad meaning. It describes all forms of sexual relations outside of marriage and focuses on the misuse of the sexual organs. Thus, fornication includes not only intercourse but also acts such as masturbating another person, as well as engaging in oral sex or anal sex.

Furthermore, the Bible condemns more than just fornication. The apostle Paul wrote: “The works of the flesh are manifest, and they are fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct.” He added: “Those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom.”—Galatians 5:19-21.

What is “uncleanness”? The Greek word covers impurity of any kind, in speech or action. Surely it would be unclean to allow one’s hands to stray under another person’s clothing, to remove another’s clothing, or to caress another’s intimate areas, such as the breasts. In the Bible the caressing of the breasts is associated with the pleasures reserved for married couples.—Proverbs 5:18, 19.

Brenda