Is it an act of sexual immorality if a man caresses his girlfriend’s body without sex?
This all depends of HOW a man caresses his girlfriend, and WHY he caresses her. A simple hug can be exchanged between a girlfriend and boyfriend, but if that hug lasts for too long, or if your hands begin to touch her in a sensual way, you have GONE TOO FAR! To touch her to receive some sexual enjoyment is a dangerous thing to do and will only increase any lustful desires. Let’s consider 2 Timothy 2:22, “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” The Bible warns us here to RUN AWAY from lusts. They will only lead to more touching and eventually lead to sex.
Some will ask, “How much can I do with my girlfriend before it becomes sin?” We have the Lord’s words in Matthew 5:27-28, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” To even look at your girlfriend with lustful thoughts of sex is sin. Sex is a wonderful thing and the desire for sex with the opposite sex is natural. However, the Lord expects us to wait until we are married before beginning a sexual relationship. He expects us to control our actions and to control our thoughts. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity EVERY THOUGHT TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST.”
Do you love the Lord? Do you love your girlfriend? Then have the proper respect for both. To use your girlfriend for your own sexual gratification is not love. It is selfishness. Even if your girlfriend agrees to allow you to touch her, it is still an act of sexual gratification and should be avoided at all costs. If you and your girlfriend think that you cannot overcome these sexual feelings, I suggest you pray together and ask the Lord to help you honor Him by taking away the lustful thoughts you have. Wait until marriage. You will be glad you did. A life of love and obedience to the Lord will guarantee a happy life. Deuteronomy 5:33 says, “Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you…” (332.4)