What do many Christians believe about sex outside of marriage?

Many Christians believe that sex outside of marriage is both sinful and unacceptable because traditional Christian teachings emphasize the sanctity of marriage as the proper context for sexual relations. This belief is grounded in various biblical passages that promote sexual fidelity and discourage premarital or extramarital relations. For example, many Christians refer to teachings in the New Testament, such as those found in the letters of Paul, which highlight sexual immorality as contrary to God's intentions for human relationships.

This view is reinforced by the belief that marriage is a sacred covenant, designed by God, and intended to be a commitment that provides a stable and loving environment for sexual intimacy. Engaging in sexual activity outside of this covenant is seen as undermining the moral framework established by these teachings, leading to a belief that such actions are inherently sinful. Thus, this belief underlines the importance that many Christians place on following scriptural principles regarding sexual behavior.