Is Kissing before Marriage a Sin?

As a Christian, honoring God is an important part of all of your relationships. But does being part of a God-fearing romantic partnership mean that kissing is totally out of the question? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve taken a closer look at exactly what the Bible does and doesn’t say about kissing, so you and your partner can confidently put God first in all that you do.

Things You Should Know

The Bible does not state that romantic kissing is a sin.
Many Christians believe that kissing on its own isn’t a sin, but it can become sinful if it leads to more intimate or sexual acts before marriage.
Through prayer and discussion, you and your partner can decide if kissing is okay or not.

Section 1 of 5:

Is romantic kissing a sin according to Christianity?

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The basic act of kissing isn’t considered a sin in Christianity. The Bible takes a strong stance on purity, but it doesn’t specifically call out kissing as a sin—instead, it frowns upon any act that can lead to sex before marriage. By this logic, kissing a partner isn’t necessarily a sin, but getting intimate with your partner before marriage could be. ^{[1]
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Research source} With this in mind, things like cuddling, snuggling, and holding hands may also be fine as long as they don’t progress to anything more.
- Colossians 3:5: “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.”
- 1 Timothy 5:2: “Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.”
- Note: Many Bible verses showcase kissing as a friendly and platonic way of greeting a friend, loved one, or fellow believer (especially for early believers of the Christian church). For instance, in Ruth 1:14 , Orpah kisses her mother-in-law platonically: “And they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi.” ^{[2]
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Section 2 of 5:

When does kissing become a sin?

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Kissing becomes a sin when it leads to sex before marriage. The Bible doesn’t say outright if kissing your partner is a sin. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3 , though, it does highlight the importance of waiting until marriage to have sex: “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.” If you think that kissing your partner could tempt you both into being sexually intimate before marriage, you might be better off avoiding it. ^{[3]
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- Ephesians 3:5: “Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.”
- Hebrews 13:4: “Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.”
- Galatians 5:16: “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”

Section 3 of 5:

Is it okay to kiss before marriage?

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It’s up to you, your partner, and God to decide if kissing is okay. No two relationships are exactly alike—some couples are perfectly content with only kissing and cuddling together; in other couples, however, it might lead to temptation. Take some time to sit down with your partner and pray to discern God’s will regarding what’s best for your relationship, and to see if you need to set any boundaries . ^{[4]
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- Your prayer could be something like: “Lord, please guide our minds and hearts so we can find a way to stay holy and pure in our relationship.”

Section 4 of 5:

Is making out a sin?

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Some consider making out a sin since it can lead to sexual temptation. Making out (also known as French kissing) is far more passionate than a traditional kiss—because of this, some Christians worry about the slippery slope that it can lead to. If making out tempts you both into having sex before marriage, it could possibly qualify as a sin. ^{[5]
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- The Bible takes a strong position against sexual immorality in 1 Corinthians 6:18 : “Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.” Ultimately, it’s up to you and your partner to talk, pray, and decide how far you’re comfortable going in your relationship while still staying true to your faith.

Section 5 of 5:

Kissing before Marriage in Other Religions

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Kissing isn’t allowed before marriage if you’re a practicing Orthodox Jew. Many members of Orthodox Judaism practice something known as shomer negiah , which forbids them from making physical contact with anyone of the opposite sex. ^{[6]
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Research source} Individuals who are shomer negiah typically don’t do anything physical with their partner (including kissing) until they’re married. ^{[7]
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- Orthodox Judaism is a devout variety of Judaism that sticks to very traditional practices. They believe in practicing their faith exactly as it was established back in the days of Mt. Sinai. ^{[8]
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In Islam, the term halal describes things that aren’t sinful, while the word haram describes punishable acts that need to be avoided. ^{[9]
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Research source} According to the laws of Islam, kissing someone before marriage is haram and therefore not allowed.

Join the Discussion...

Why do humans kiss?

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WikiFoxChaser795

What is the purpose of people kissing? What does it mean when people kiss? Why do people like to do it? I spent too long thinking about the actua... Read More

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Lauren Sanders
Matchmaker & Dating Coach

People kiss in many different contexts for different reasons. For example, if someone kisses you on the first date, it could mean they are intere... Read More

1

WikiFoxChaser795

That makes sense, thank you! So how can you tell when someone wants to kiss? When I'm on a date I can never tell and I feel like I miss the momen... Read More

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Can I kiss my crush if we both like each other and agree to take it slow?

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Why not? Just check that they're okay with it. Verbal consent is the clearest, but you can also indicate physically that you want to kiss by looking them in the eyes and slowly moving your face closer. If they want to kiss you, they'll do the same.

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Is a white wedding gown only for a virgin or for every woman who's ready to get married?

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It's for anyone. Some people use it to symbolize purity or virginity, but a white gown is really just a tradition nowadays.

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Is it wrong to kiss a good friend on the lips?

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Only if they're not okay with it. Let it be understood that it's out of friendship, not a desire to be dating.

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If your aim is to please God and avoid sin, it's wise to refrain from kissing anyone. In my opinion, it's important to consider the intentions and context behind physical affection, and to make choices that align with your personal values and beliefs.
For a seriously dating couple, making out is a good way to become comfortable with having sex with each other once you're married. It can also help you determine if you'll be compatible.
I think this can be difficult to navigate for Christians because there isn't a clear rule. It really comes down to shared personal convictions and mutual comfort.

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Is Kissing before Marriage a Sin?

Things You Should Know

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Is romantic kissing a sin according to Christianity?

When does kissing become a sin?

Is it okay to kiss before marriage?

Is making out a sin?

Kissing before Marriage in Other Religions

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