What does the Bible say about sexual purity?

from the old testament

• God created sex to be between one man and one woman in marriage (Genesis 2:23–25).
• The Old Testament emphasizes sexual purity and the sanctity of marriage (Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18; Deuteronomy 22:13–30; Proverbs 5:15–20; Proverbs 6:27–29).

from the new testament

• God declares that sexual relations should be only for a man and a woman in a marriage and should stay between those married people for a lifetime (Ephesians 5:31).
• There are many Scripture passages about sexual purity, but 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 and 7 encapsulates much of God's directive on the subject: "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God… For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness."
• Sanctification is being set apart for a holy reason—for God's purposes. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are made holy and become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17–19). We are able to live by faith, instead of by our old sin nature (Galatians 2:20).
• The Bible seems to set the lack of sexual purity somewhat apart from other sin. It warns against sexual immorality as particularly damaging to the individual and the community (1 Corinthians 6:18–20). Sexual sin is viewed as a violation of one’s own body and a defilement of the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16–17).
• The Bible also teaches that sexual relations outside of marriage are not aligned with God’s design for human sexuality (Hebrews 13:4). We are called to be sexually pure— chaste in singleness and faithful in marriage.
• Self-control, refraining from any sin, including seeking to live sexually pure, shows our reliance on and allowance of the Holy Spirit's work (Galatians 5:22–23).
• We are told to honor God with our bodies because they are a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:18–20). It is the Holy Spirit who helps us honor Him.

implications for today

Sex joins two people as one. God knows this should be reserved for marriage. God designed and created us, so He knows what is best for us. His rules, boundaries, and discipline are designed for our benefit and His glory. Sex is the most intimate and vulnerable of acts. This type of intimacy is precious within the committed relationship of a married man and woman. Remaining sexually pure protects that gift. Sexual purity is not only something those who are single need to be concerned about; it is also intended for married couples to remain faithful to each other. Sex is unique to marriage, and sexual purity does much to maintain the integrity and strength of the marriage bond.

No matter your marital state, we are all called to be sexually pure in both our actions and our thoughts. When we follow God's instruction about sexual purity, our lives and relationships will be better for us and honor Him, and our marriage bed will be kept pure (Hebrews 13:4).