The Appearance Of Evil

Q

What verses in the Bible state that a man and woman (involved in a relationship) should not live together before they are married? While it would obviously be sinful if they were sexually involved with each other, what if they weren’t?

I remember reading about a verse that admonished such a thing, but in reading some of your answers regarding cohabitation, it seems as though you defined it as sinful when the partners were active with each other.

A

Yes, in my answers I was assuming that a romantically involved couple living together would be acting is if they were married. The Bible prohibits fornication (sex outside of marriage) and adultery (sex with someone other than a spouse) but as far as I can tell does not specifically prohibit people of different sexes living together. That prohibition has traditionally been a cultural barrier designed to prevent breaking God’s laws, and to avoid even the appearance of evil.(1 Thes. 5:22)

I think it’s safe to say that most people would assume that a romantically involved couple living together was having sex, even if they weren’t. This is what is meant by the appearance of evil.