Ellen White: Sex Before Marriage Views

Here is information regarding the topic of sex before marriage.

...anctity of married love he would substitute permissiveness, unfaithfulness, excess, and perversion; premarital sex, adultery, animalism in and outside of marriage, and homosexuality. All are referred to in this cha...— 1MCP 220.3 (1977)

Marriage has received Christ's blessing, and it is to be regarded as a sacred institution. True religion does not counterwork the Lord's plans. God ordained that m...— BEcho August 28, 1899, par. 5 (1892)

...uman passion. Thus have come into existence some of the greatest evils which curse our world,—adultery, fornication, the murder of innocent children born out of wedlock— ST August 30, 1899, par. 5 (1874)

...d they pass on from year to year in their course of hypocrisy. Their sins have reached unto Heaven. Fornication and adultery are estimated by many professing Christians as sins which God winketh at. These sins are practiced to a great extent. They do not acknowledge the claims of God's law upon them. They have broken the commandments of the great Jehovah, and are zealously teaching their hearers to do the same, declaring that the law of God is abolished, and consequently has no claims upon them. In accordance with this free state of things, sin does not appear so exceedingly sinful; for by the law is the knowledge of sin, We may expect to find men among those who thus teach, who will deceive, and lie, and give loose rein to lustful passions. But men and women who acknowledge the ten commandments binding, should carry out in their lives, th...— SA 140.2 (1870)

From the light that God has given me, fornication and adultery are estimated by a large number of the first-day Adventists as sins which God winks at. These sins are practiced to a great extent. They do not acknowledge the claims of God's law upon them. They have broken the commandments o...— 2T 449.2 (1885)

Sexual activity before marriage is considered a moral pollution and a soul and body-destroying vice. It is a sad error that is prevalent in this degenerate age, especially among women, who may be too fond of the other sex and encourage familiarity that does not align with avoiding all appearance of evil. This behavior can lead to serious entanglements and is seen as a disregard for the sacred institution of marriageCG 441.2+5.

The Bible strongly condemns fornication and adultery, equating lustful thoughts to committing adultery in the heart Matthew 5:27-28. These actions are considered works of the flesh, which prevent one from inheriting the kingdom of God Galatians 5:19-21SW December 4, 1906, par. 1+7. The human body is considered the temple of the Holy Spirit, and engaging in fornication sins against one's own body and dishonors God 1 Corinthians 6:15-2011LtMs, Lt 106a, 1896, par. 25.

The prevalence of fornication among ancient Israel brought God's displeasure and judgments 1 Corinthians 10:5-12TSB 102.3+2. Such sins defile individuals and the land Jeremiah 3:2+26. It is important to flee from fornication and to control one's passions by principle 1 Corinthians 6:18CG 441.2+1.

Ministers who violate the seventh commandment (adultery) should not be entrusted with the guardianship of souls, and their actions defy God's lawsPaM 60.2+2. The church is responsible for eradicating such evils within its ranksTSB 237.1.

The institution of marriage was ordained by God in Eden and is to be preserved as sacred and holy1MR 160.3+4. Jesus Himself upheld the sanctity of marriage, declaring that the only cause for divorce is unfaithfulness to the marriage vow, which is fornication Matthew 5:32+11MR 159.2+6. Priests and popes who forbade marriage led to unnatural positions and opened the door for the indulgence of human passion, resulting in widespread evils like adultery and fornication10MR 198.1+2.

The mingling of sexes, especially among the youth, without proper guidance can lead to mischievous work and increased evilDG 156.3+5. Parental vigilance is crucial in guiding children and providing a pleasant home environment to deter them from seeking inappropriate associations2MCP 605.1+5. Young people should prioritize spiritual commitment and avoid hasty marriages driven by passion, as these often lead to unhappiness and dishonorLYL 82.2+2.

The importance of moral purity, self-respect, and a strong power of resistance is emphasized, urging individuals to avoid even the first approach to danger in their interactionsPH167 35.1. God's law provides the way to happiness and guidance for every soul, helping them to escape the corruption in the world through lustLYL 25.4+3.