How Far is Too Far? Physical Boundaries in Dating

Not many Christians debate God's instructions against premarital sex. However, there is still not a consensus or a shared understanding regarding what constitutes acceptable physical affection and what is sinful. The Bible uses words like adultery, fornication, lust, and purity, all words that have very clear meanings. Yet many Christian singles, teens, and even parents remain confused. Many Christian singles and teens struggle to maintain sexual purity while abstaining from sexual intercourse, yet many are engaging in sexual acts. They deceive themselves by legalistically reasoning they haven't violated God's boundaries because they haven't technically had sex. While the Bible does not appear to clarify exactly what other acts for singles are and are not acceptable in God's eyes, it is very clear about the guidelines we are meant to judge these acts by.

When asked by young couples,