SAC-Wk122 — Is Cohabiting called Marriage?

To marry in Nigeria is free. Undoubtedly, 70% in the world today are living together without getting married. In Nigeria, it's a generally acceptable way of life. They have even breed children as many as before they consider marriage.

They are not couples, and they're not married. Traditionally, marriage involves a formal process where a man and woman are authorized to live together under marriage, which includes the payment of a bride price or dowry in many cultures. This bride price is a symbolic and legal acknowledgment of the union. Without this, the relationship lacks the formal recognition that defines marriage.

From a biblical perspective, marriage is an arrangement instituted by God. When God created the first human couple, He established marriage as a sacred and binding union (Genesis 2:22-24). This divine institution is meant to provide a stable foundation for family life and society. Living together and bearing children without fulfilling the cultural or legal requirements of marriage means the relationship is not recognized as marriage in the traditional or biblical sense.

Therefore, such a couple is neither legally nor spiritually married. They do not enjoy the protections, responsibilities, and recognition that come with marriage. This distinction is important because marriage carries specific rights and duties, including the legal recognition of children and the formal commitment of the partners.

My view on cohabitation is that there is no shortcut in marriage. It’s either you marry or you do not. Cohabiting—living together without marriage—is not a substitute or a step toward marriage but a separate lifestyle choice that lacks the commitment and legal recognition of marriage.

The Bible clearly instructs believers to “abstain from sexual immorality” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Sexual immorality includes any sexual relations outside of marriage, such as adultery, homosexual acts, and sex between a man and a woman who are not married. Cohabitation typically involves sexual relations outside of marriage, which the Bible condemns.

Marriage is a sacred covenant authorized by God, and sexual intimacy is a gift meant to be enjoyed within this covenant. Living together without marriage disregards this divine arrangement and can lead to spiritual and emotional complications.

In addition, cohabitation can create confusion about the relationship’s status and responsibilities. It may seem like a shortcut, but it often complicates matters if the relationship ends or if the couple later decides to marry. The Bible encourages people to respect God’s standards and enter marriage with full commitment and legal recognition.

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There are many disadvantages to cohabiting, especially because it is not legally recognized in many societies. Without legal recognition, cohabiting couples lack the protections and rights that married couples have. For example, children born into such relationships may face legal uncertainties regarding inheritance, custody, and parental responsibilities.

Emotionally, cohabitation can lead to instability. Studies show that couples who live together before marriage have a higher risk of divorce if they eventually marry. The absence of a formal commitment can make it easier to separate but also harder to resolve conflicts constructively.

Spiritually, cohabitation is considered sinful because it involves sexual relations outside of marriage. The Bible warns that “those who are sexually immoral . . . will not inherit God’s Kingdom” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). This spiritual consequence is significant for those who seek to live in harmony with God’s will.

Furthermore, cohabitation can expose individuals to health risks, including sexually transmitted infections such as HIV and AIDS. These risks underscore the importance of reserving sexual intimacy for marriage, where there is a committed and exclusive relationship.

In summary, the disadvantages of cohabitation include legal insecurity, emotional instability, spiritual harm, and health risks. The bible encourages people to marry before living together to enjoy the full benefits of a committed, God-approved relationship.

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No, it is not good to sexually test the person you want to marry before marriage. Marriage is a due process that should be followed and legalized. God instituted marriage when He brought the first human couple together (Genesis 2:22-24), and He did not intend for a man and a woman to live together without the commitment of marriage.

Sex is a gift from Jehovah, meant to be enjoyed by a man and a woman who are married to each other. This gift allows couples not only to have children but also to express their mutual love and affection in a natural and pleasurable way. Using sex as a test before marriage undermines the sacredness of this gift and the commitment marriage entails.

The Bible warns that “those who are sexually immoral . . . will not inherit God’s Kingdom” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Sexual immorality includes premarital sex, which can also expose individuals to serious health risks such as HIV and AIDS.

Therefore, the bible teaches that sexual intimacy should be reserved for marriage. This approach protects individuals physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and it helps build a strong foundation for a lifelong marriage.

Dezzle J 🗣️ 🎤🖋️