A female Christian friend seemed blasé about her personal relationships with friends who she acknowledges have ‘benefits.’ But I’m of the view that such an intimate arrangement between two so-called ‘friends’ cheapens, trivialises, and distorts love. Of course I can’t dictate how she, or you, should live your life. However, I would ask you to consider precisely why you think (especially as a Christian) it’s ok to give your ‘friend’ marital privileges outside of the marital covenant? Intimacy can be gained without the physical aspects that society claims to be necessary (see earlier blog).
Pursuing Purity
Holding Hands, Holding Hearts by Sharon and Richard Phillips, is an excellent book on relationships which I highly recommend. One thing the authors urge the reader to contemplate is that their relationship should have a sanctifying effect on both parties.
If, for whatever reason, your relationship doesn’t end in marriage; you’re presently courting someone else’s future husband or wife.
This should encourage individuals to uphold boundaries that would otherwise allow them to succumb to lust. Personally, I would be uncomfortable with the idea of meeting a female that my boyfriend had done anything and everything with… More so if I discovered she was ‘just a friend’ and not an ex-girlfriend.
It’s true that different people have different thresholds, and for this particular friend of mine she felt like it was ok to have male friends who transcended the friendship barrier (but weren’t quite on the ‘boyfriend’ level). For me, this raised the question of purity. Your conscience may allow you to think your actions are ok, but in the eyes of God what exactly constitutes purity? Take Matthew 5:8 for example, “blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” How does one practically have a pure heart? It seems somewhat ambiguous… However, the word for pure in this verse is the Greek word katharos meaning clean or clear. Katharos is the same word used in John 15:3 where Jesus states that we have been “made clean” through his teaching; in other words, purified by his teaching. This is consistent with David’s counsel in Psalm 119:9, “how can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.”
What Does the Bible Say?
Therefore, you may then ask what is God’s teaching with regard to ‘extracurricular activity’ with friends; does He have any commands in relation to friends with benefits? The short answer is no.
The Bible doesn’t have a section addressing this particular issue by name. But it does have universal principles on the topic of sexual immorality and adultery (1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; Matthew 5:27-28) which I believe are essential to maintaining purity. For example, Paul admonishes us to walk properly and not in lewdness or lust (Romans 13:13). Consider this in light of 1 Corinthians 13:4, which tells us that love is patient. There’s nothing patient about lust. A person who can’t wait to do things properly (i.e. in marriage), and is actively trying to transgress the boundaries of friendship is not demonstrating true biblical love. If, a) you’re happy to receive this lust (masquerading as love), or b) you’re the one initiating such an arrangement – then I’m afraid to put this bluntly, but you’re not ready to be in a relationship. Patience is a characteristic of love; love isn’t just part of God, it’s who He is (1 John 4:8).
Knowing and eventually seeing God should be your heart’s desire. He wouldn’t want you to settle for any less than you deserve, so don’t sell yourself short.
So…
In all things we should seek to emulate God. Therefore, since a ‘friends with benefits’ relationship isn’t glorifying God because it’s not based on love… can you truly carry on in your sin knowing that you are impure in this respect? The issue at stake is less about how much you can get away with (without someone getting attached or heartbroken), but rather an issue of obedience.
There’s lots more I could write, but take a look at the following verses too:
– “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure (katharos) heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)
– “To the pure (katharos) all things are pure (katharos), but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.” (Titus 1:15)
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