Exploring the Bible’s teachings on abstinence can offer valuable guidance and inspiration. In times of temptation, Scripture provides clear directions to uphold purity and self-control. Join us as we look at various verses that encourage a life of abstinence, helping us align our actions with God’s will.
Bible Verses About Abstinence
1 Corinthians 6:18 – Flee from sexual immorality
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3 – God’s will for us is to live in purity
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.”
Hebrews 13:4 – Marriage is honorable and should be respected
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
Colossians 3:5 – Put to death what is earthly in us
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
Galatians 5:19-21 – The acts of the flesh are obvious
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
James 4:7 – Submit to God and resist the devil
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Matthew 5:27-28 – Lusting in our hearts is a sin
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Romans 12:1-2 – Offer our bodies as living sacrifices
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
1 Peter 2:11 – Abstain from passions of the flesh
“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”
Proverbs 6:27 – Will a man carry fire next to his chest?
“Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?”
2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee youthful passions
“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 – God provides a way of escape
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
Romans 13:13-14 – Put on the Lord Jesus Christ
“Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
Philippians 4:8 – Think on noble things
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
1 John 2:15-16 – Do not love the world
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”
Matthew 5:8 – The pure in heart will see God
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
2 Corinthians 6:14 – Do not be unequally yoked
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?”
Ephesians 5:3 – Sexual immorality should not be named among us
“But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.”
Proverbs 4:23 – Guard our hearts
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
Romans 6:12 – Do not let sin reign in our bodies
“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.”
1 Corinthians 9:27 – Discipline ourselves
“But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Proverbs 25:28 – A man without self-control
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
Psalm 119:9 – How can a young man keep his way pure?
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.”
1 Peter 1:15-16 – Be holy, for I am holy
“But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'”
Luke 9:23 – Take up your cross daily
“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’
1 Corinthians 7:2 – Each man should have his own wife
“But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.”
Proverbs 30:20 – The way of an adulterous woman
“This is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done no wrong.'”
Matthew 26:41 – Watch and pray against temptation
“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
John 8:34 – Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin
“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.’
Proverbs 5:3-4 – The lips of a forbidden woman
“For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.”
Romans 8:5-6 – Setting our minds on the spirit
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
Ephesians 4:22-24 – Put off the old self
“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
1 John 3:3 – Everyone who hopes in Him purifies himself
“And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Bad company corrupts good morals
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’
Also Read: Bible Verses About Rebirth
What Does the Bible Say About Abstinence
In the Bible, abstinence is addressed with both reverence and practicality. We find a consistent message that upholds abstinence, particularly in the context of sexual purity. The teachings emphasize the importance of maintaining one’s body as a temple and recognizing the value of self-control.
From the start, the Bible outlines the principles of abstinence. For example, in the Ten Commandments, we are urged to avoid adultery, which directly underlines the importance of sexual purity. Abstinence before marriage is not just a guideline, but a foundational tenet of a righteous life. We see this reflected in Paul’s letters, where he explicitly encourages the unmarried and widows to stay celibate, as an act of dedication to God’s work.
Moreover, the story of Joseph provides a vivid narrative on the virtues of abstinence. When confronted with temptation, Joseph chooses to flee, valuing his integrity and commitment to God over momentary pleasure. This narrative teaches us about the strength and moral fortitude required to practice abstinence.
In the New Testament, we find further evidence of the significance of abstinence in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus himself speaks about the seriousness of sin, particularly sexual immorality, urging us to cut off anything that causes us to stumble. Paul, in his letters to the Corinthians, talks extensively about honoring God with our bodies. He calls us to flee from sexual immorality and reminds us that our bodies are not our own but belong to God.
Additionally, abstinence is seen as a way to maintain spiritual focus. By abstaining, particularly from sexual activity outside the boundaries of marriage, we can dedicate ourselves more fully to God’s work. This dedication is exemplified by figures such as John the Baptist and Paul, who embraced abstinence as a means of devoting themselves entirely to their divine missions.
In conclusion, the Bible advocates for abstinence as a means of fostering spiritual growth, maintaining purity, and honoring God with our bodies. It calls us to exercise self-control and to recognize our bodies as sacred vessels, dedicated to living out God’s commandments. Through various teachings and narratives, we are reminded of the profound spiritual significance that comes with the choice of abstinence.