Should a couple who gets pregnant before marriage get married?
If you seek to get married in order to get right in God's eyes, don't. Though having sex outside of marriage is a sin, only the forgiveness of Jesus Christ offers you forgiveness of all your sins. Our faith in Him is what saves us, not anything we do or do not do. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” God is more interested in your relationship with Him than in you trying to right your wrongs. When you submit your life to God through Jesus, you not only make a reservation for heaven, you will also have a fulfilling life on earth.You know that sex outside of marriage is biblically wrong. When we go against God's plan, we invite negative spiritual and physical results such as guilt, shame, regret, loss of respect for others and self, division in relationships, pain for future spouses, unplanned pregnancy, abortion, and sexually transmitted diseases.
In our current society, sex outside of marriage is commonplace. Due to the sexualization of our culture, it appears to some that no one possesses the discipline or commitment to remain a virgin until they are married. However, many Christians, understanding and obeying God's Word and plan for our lives, wait until marriage before having sex. God's Word is unchanging and it tells us that sex outside of marriage is wrong (Matthew 15:19; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 13; 7:2; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3).
That being said, having sex outside of marriage can be forgiven. The Bible tells us to confess our sins to God. When we do, He will forgive us (1 John 1:9). When we admit our sin and commit to Jesus, the natural consequences of sin remain, but we are forgiven and God will help us deal rightly with those consequences.
The Bible doesn't address whether a woman who gets pregnant should marry the baby's father. Both the mother and father are obligated to ensure their children are cared for emotionally, spiritually, and financially. Ensuring the children's needs are met may look like a variety of things, including parenting together in marriage, co-parenting without marriage, adoption, etc. It is important to remember that the baby is not at fault nor a punishment. The child is still a blessing.
Anyone contemplating marriage should be sure their future spouse is committed to God's design for marriage—a lifelong, monogamous relationship that honors God. If you already planned to marry, then seek out solid, biblical pre-marital counseling. This, not your pregnancy, will help you determine what to do about marriage. Seek God's wisdom (James 1:5).
Getting married does not make you right in God's eyes. God's forgiveness is what makes us right in His eyes. We then seek His wisdom for how to proceed.
What does the Bible teach about marriage?
When is the right time for marriage?
How will I know when I've found the right spouse for me?
What is a biblical level of intimacy before marriage?
Should children always be considered a blessing from God?
Truth about Relationships
