We encourage you to remain pure and support that decision with a commitment to honor the Lord with your whole being—spirit, soul and body. Strengthen your position in that commitment by encouraging your friends and agreeing with your dating partner to share those same values and commitments concerning sexual purity and marriage.

The Bible speaks strongly and clearly against fornication, which is sexual intercourse outside of marriage. The Apostle Paul was stout in his writings about this.

Some have wondered whether French-kissing or other activities might also be involved in fornication. Though many of these acts and expressions of physical intimacy are not fornication, the greater question we should ask ourselves is, “Are these acts OK?” The answer begins not with our outward actions, but with our hearts (Matthew 5:28, 12:35, 15:18-20).

An act or expression of physical intimacy can still be wrong, even if it is not fornication. It can be wrong if it breaks down your commitment to God instead of building it up. It’s important to understand that resolve alone is not enough. Even the greatest resolve can fall to the power of passion. So refrain from intimate physical activities that arouse and stimulate—ones that attack your barriers of resolve and standards until unintended actions become real possibilities. Instead, ask the Lord to show you how to help you and your dating partner build up your spirit so your soul can make quality decisions.

Remember, whatever you do in word or deed should be done in the Name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17). First Corinthians 6:20 says, “For God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” Read and meditate also on the following scriptures: 1 Corinthians 7:1-9; Galatians 5:19; 2 Timothy 2:19-21 and Ephesians 5:3.