Introduction
In today’s culture, the concept of remaining a virgin until marriage is often dismissed or even mocked. However, for those who seek to follow Biblical principles for relationships and sexuality, understanding what the Bible teaches about virginity remains highly relevant.
This is true for both men and women. While some teachings on purity have placed a disproportionate emphasis on female virginity, the Bible calls men to sexual purity as well. God’s standards apply to all people, regardless of gender.
In this comprehensive blog post, we will explore key Biblical passages about virginity and their implications for men today. We will examine God’s design for sexuality, practical advice for living out one’s faith in this area, and the hope and redemption that Christ offers to all.
Key Takeaways:
- God created sex to be enjoyed exclusively within the marriage covenant between one man and one woman.
- Remaining sexually pure honors the Lord and enables men to enter marriage with no regrets.
- Practical strategies can help men flee sexual temptation and guard their hearts.
- For those who have already lost their virginity, repentance and renewal are available through Christ.
- God is pleased when we strive for purity out of love for Him and desire to follow His ways.
God’s Design for Sexuality
The Bible clearly lays out God’s intent for human sexuality. First and foremost, the sexual relationship was created by God to be enjoyed within the committed union of marriage between one man and one woman.
The creation account in Genesis states:
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24 NKJV)
The marital union, pictured in the one flesh relationship, provides the exclusively acceptable context for sexual activity. Passages such as Hebrews 13:4 make this plain:
“Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” (Hebrews 13:4 NKJV)
From the beginning and all throughout Scripture, extra-marital sexuality is depicted as a distortion of God’s good design.
For men considering their sexuality, this truth is essential to embrace. God created men with a strong sexual desire, but that gift can only be fully experienced within His parameters. Scripture speaks plainly: sexual purity honors the Lord, while sexual sin defiles the sacredness of marriage.
The Apostle Paul urges believers to…
The Importance of Virginity for Men
Given God’s clear guidelines for honorable sexuality, remaining a virgin until marriage is greatly significant. By choosing abstinence, men honor the Lord and retain purity of heart and mind. They also avoid the entanglements and consequences that premarital sex can bring.
Paul writes:
“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18 NKJV)
No other sin has such an intimately destructive impact. For those who have already crossed this line, renewal and restoration are promised in Christ. But for those still choosing virginity, there are rich benefits.
Virginity Enables Singleness of Purpose
As a single man walks with the Lord, his energy can be focused wholly on pursuing God’s purposes. Paul notes this advantage in 1 Corinthians 7. He says:
“He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord – how he may please the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:32 NKJV)
Without obligations to a spouse, unmarried men can devote themselves to the work of God’s kingdom. Their passions are undivided.
Virginity Allows for Undivided Devotion in Marriage
Men who remain virgins until marriage are enabled to enter the marriage union with integrity. Paul notes:
“The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world – how she may please her husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:34 NKJV)
In marriage, new obligations arise between spouses. For those who kept themselves sexually pure beforehand, their devotion can be wholly centered on their wife within the marriage covenant.
Virginity Keeps the Marriage Bed Undefiled
The intimacy of sexual union is designed by God to bind husband and wife together as one flesh. When saved for marriage, it offers a unique closeness. But when shared prior to a committed marriage covenant, it can breed regret, shame, and painful memories that carry into the marriage relationship.
The apostle encourages believers to…
Practical Tips for Maintaining Virginity
For men seeking to remain sexually pure today, it takes commitment and wisdom to withstand all sorts of sexualized cultural messages and opportunities for compromise. Temptation is inevitable, so proactive steps must be taken.
Here are some key tips for guarding purity:
Flee from sexual immorality
As Paul urges, we must flee temptation rather than flirting with it. Proximity and privacy with someone who is not a spouse must be avoided. Job warns wisely:
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?” (Job 31:1 NKJV)
Conscious choices guide our eyes and feet away from compromise and toward purity.
Seek accountability
Sharing regularly with a trusted believing friend helps keep us on the narrow path. James advises:
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” (James 5:16 NKJV)
Humility and godly counsel help us withstand temptation.
Guard your heart
Sin often begins with small indulgences in the mind and heart. The King Lemuel was taught:
“Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.” (Proverbs 31:3 NKJV)
Fantasies and entertainment that promote lust must be cut off to keep our hearts aligned with God’s ways.
Fill your mind with truth
The Bible urges us to dwell on what is honorable, pure, and praiseworthy. As Paul wrote:
“Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8 NKJV)
Setting our minds on righteous things is essential to walking in sexual purity.
Embrace godly manhood
True masculinity is found in reflecting Christ in all we do. Paul says:
“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NASB)
Rather than seeking worldly experiences, we find courage by living with integrity, purpose, and care for others.
Hope and Redemption for the Sexually Impure
Many men, even those who are faithful followers of Christ, fell into sexual sin earlier in life. But the Bible offers hope. Through repentance and belief in Christ, we are offered total redemption and a new start.
Paul reminds believers:
“Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11 NASB)
No matter what sexual sins are in our past, turning to Jesus in repentance allows our lives to be made completely new. We receive full forgiveness and are empowered to walk in sexual purity from this day forward.
For those entangled in ongoing sexual sin, Jesus’ response to the woman caught in adultery offers beautiful hope:
“Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’” (John 8:11 NKJV)
Through Christ we gain victory over the enslaving power of sexual immorality. His strength enables us to honor Him with our bodies from now on.
The Heart of the Matter
In the end, the Bible calls men to pursue sexual purity not out of mere obligation, but out of sincere love for God and desire to honor Him. When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied:
“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38 NKJV)
As we grow in loving God, we gain His heart for purity and holiness. Sin grieves us rather than enticing us. We seek to glorify Him with our actions.
Paul exhorts believers:
“Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:20 NKJV)
This motivation surpasses any list of rules. Our sexuality becomes an arena to worship our Creator as we live according to His wise and beautiful design.
Conclusion
The world seeks to minimize or even mock the call to virginity. But God’s Word remains constant. Sexuality finds its proper place exclusively within marriage between one man and one woman.
When men choose to honor God in this intimate arena of life, they bless the Lord and walk in freedom and integrity. This brings immense joy and reward, both now and eternally.
By God’s grace, a passion for purity becomes achievable and fulfilling. As Paul declares, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV) May we live empowered by His Spirit within His good and loving purposes.
