Is Kissing A Sin? What We Know From The Bible!

By Charalampos •  Updated: 01/21/23 •  7 min read

When it comes to matters of the heart, one of the most oft-debated topics is whether or not kissing is a sin in God’s eyes.

The Bible doesn’t explicitly answer this question for us, making it difficult to know what the truth really is when it comes to finding out if something as seemingly innocent as kissing can be seen as wrong in His eyes.

In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into scripture to try and get some answers on our pursuit to understand how God sees us engaging in an act such as kissing.

Here, you will find biblically backed knowledge that could typically lead you towards more informed decisions you make concerning your relationship with others throughout your walk with Christ!

Kissing Has Different Meanings

 kissing before marriage a sin

Kissing someone on the cheek is seen as an expression of love, friendship and even greetings in some aspects. Its not that same as a passionate kiss between two people in a romantic relationship.

We need to separate the two, because different types of kissing can have very different meanings and intentions.

For example, in Psalm 85:10, the Bible says: “Love and faithfulness have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed.”

Here, kissing is referring to an act of reconciliation. It’s not a physical act, but rather a spiritual one that can be seen as an expression of peace.

What The Bible Says About Kissing

What The Bible Says About Kissing

Now that we know that kissing can have different meanings, let’s look closer into what the Bible has to say about kissing in a romantic context.

In Galatians 5:19-20, the Bible states:

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions…”

In this passage, the Bible is listing various sins that we should strive not to partake in. While kissing isn’t explicitly mentioned here, it’s clear that engaging in any physical act that could be considered sexual immorality is not condoned.

In addition, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 reads:

“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.”

This passage makes it clear that any physical act that is considered sinful should be avoided. We must control our own bodies and make sure not to engage in any acts that can be seen as impure or sexual immorality.

Especially in today’s culture where there is an over-sexualization of everything, it’s especially important to be mindful of what we let our bodies do in a relationship.

Read Also: Is Fear A Sin?

What Can Christian Couples Do Sexually Before Marriage?

is kissing allowed

When it comes to matters of sexuality, the Bible is clear on its stance in regards to all sexual activities that occur outside of marriage.

In 1 Corinthians 7:2, it states: “But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.” This means that all sexual activity should be saved for marriage.

When it comes to activities that occur between couples before marriage, the Bible is less clear.

In Matthew 5:27-28, Jesus does talk about how we should act in regards to temptation and purity: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

This passage does not necessarily prohibit non-sexual activities such as kissing, but it does suggest that if something may lead to temptation or sin then it should be avoided.

The best thing that couples can do is to remain open and honest with each other about their feelings, boundaries and expectations.

As my Church’s priest once said to me, “Sometimes bad actions can ultimately lead to good outcomes.”

Although this saying doesn’t apply to all circumstances, it’s wise to remember that making decisions based on God’s will for us can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life, even if these decisions are not always the easiest or most obvious choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kissing A Sin FAQ

Is Kissing And Romancing A Sin in A Relationship?

Kissing and romancing in a relationship can be a beautiful expression of love and affection.

The Bible’s Song of Solomon 1:2 says, “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—for your love is more delightful than wine.” This verse is often used to illustrate the beauty and joy of romantic kissing between two people who are in love.

While there is nothing inherently sinful about expressing one’s feelings for another through kissing or other romantic gestures, it is important to remember that such actions should always be done within the boundaries of God’s will.

That means that any physical contact must be respectful, consensual, and not lead to sexual immorality. In short, as long as couples are engaging in romantic kissing and other expressions of love within the boundaries established by God, then it can be a beautiful part of their relationship.

You will also find useful: Was Jesus Married? The Theory That Jesus Was Married

Why Do Christians Kiss?

Christian kissing, or the holy kiss, is a gesture of love and fellowship among Christians. It is based on the biblical passage from 2 Corinthians 13:12 which says, “Greet one another with a holy kiss.”

The purpose of this gesture is to show unity in faith and to demonstrate love for fellow believers. It is also seen as a sign of respect, humility and submission to God’s will.

By exchanging a holy kiss, Christians remind each other that they are part of the same family in Christ and that they should always be ready to share love and support with one another.

This simple act helps to strengthen the bond between believers and encourages them to live out their faith more fully.

When Does Kissing Become Sinful?

Kissing becomes sinful for Christians when it is used to satisfy lust or desire rather than expressing love and affection.

In this sense, it is considered a sin since it goes against the teachings of Christianity which promote self-control and purity.

Kissing can also become sinful if it leads to other forms of inappropriate physical intimacy such as sexual intercourse outside of marriage.

It is important for Christians to recognize the difference between an appropriate expression of love and an act that is motivated by lust or selfishness.

Kissing can be a wonderful way to express feelings of love, but if it becomes selfishly motivated or leads to further physical intimacy then it could be considered a sin.

Why Do Christians Don’t Kiss Before Marriage?

Kissing before marriage is generally discouraged by most Christian denominations because it can often lead to further physical intimacy. This can be a slippery slope and could result in premarital sex which is considered a sin according to the Bible.

Also, when couples express their love through kissing or other romantic gestures before they are married, this could lead to an emotional attachment that could make it harder for them to remain abstinent until marriage.

Therefore, most Christians choose to refrain from kissing before marriage in order to avoid any potential temptation and remain faithful to God’s will.

Final Thoughts

Kissing can be a beautiful expression of love and affection as long as it is done within the boundaries established by God. While there is nothing inherently sinful about kissing, it can become sinful when it is used selfishly or leads to sexual immorality.

Therefore, Christians should always be mindful of their actions and take steps to ensure that they are remaining pure and abstaining from premarital sex.

Charalampos

Charalampos is an Orthodox Christian who wants to help others learn about Christianity. His main goal is to help people understand the Bible and how to apply its teachings in their everyday lives. He also enjoys spending time with his family, playing sports, and hiking.

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