Sex, Love, and Planning for Your Future: A Biblical Perspective

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Preparing for Important Conversations

Dear Parents,

As parents, we want the best for our children—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. We guide them in their education, their friendships, and their faith, but one of the most critical areas we must prepare them for is relationships and sexual health.

Our culture sends mixed messages about love, dating, and intimacy. The world normalizes casual relationships, but God calls us to something greater—intentional love, respect, and purity. Talking about these topics can feel overwhelming, but avoiding the conversation leaves our children to figure it out on their own—often influenced by media, peers, or misinformation.

This blog provides a biblical perspective on relationships and sexual integrity, helping young people make wise choices before they find themselves in high-pressure situations. You can share this information directly with your child or use it as a guide for meaningful conversations at home.

Here’s how to use this resource:
✔ Read it yourself and decide what key points you’d like to emphasize.
✔ Share the blog with your child and encourage them to reflect on the concepts.
✔ Use it as a starting point for open, judgment-free discussions about their thoughts, questions, and concerns.
✔ Emphasize that these discussions aren’t about shame or fear, but about God’s best plan for their future.

By being proactive, we can help our children navigate relationships with wisdom, confidence, and a deep understanding of their worth in Christ.

Praying for you as you walk this journey together!
💙 With grace, wisdom, and encouragement,
Tricia Goyer

Sex, Love, and Planning for Your Future:
A Biblical Perspective

We plan for school. We plan for careers. We even plan our fitness goals. But have you ever thought about planning for your relationships and your future marriage?

Too often, relationships are treated as something that “just happens.” But love and purity don’t just fall into place—they require intentionality, wisdom, and a commitment to God’s best.

Whether you’re single, dating, or just thinking about the future, it’s never too early to set boundaries, define your values, and make a plan for the relationships you desire.

1. Planning for a Healthy Future

We plan for school, careers, and fitness—why not relationships?

Every choice you make today affects your future. When it comes to relationships, emotions and desires can cloud our judgment. That’s why having a plan matters.

• What kind of relationship do you want to have?
• How will you honor God in your dating choices?
• How can you protect your heart and body from regret?

Waiting until you’re in the middle of temptation to decide your boundaries is dangerous. Making a plan now helps you stay strong later.

2. Understanding Your Values and Boundaries

If you don’t define your boundaries, someone else will.

One of the biggest mistakes people make in relationships is not knowing where they stand before they get involved.

Ask yourself:

• What are my beliefs about love, dating, and marriage?
• How do my faith and values influence my decisions?
• Who can I turn to for godly wisdom and accountability?

When you know your values before emotions get involved, you can make choices with wisdom instead of pressure.

3. The Truth About Readiness

Emotional maturity matters as much as physical choices.

How do you know if you’re ready to date? The world tells us that dating is just about feelings, but wisdom asks deeper questions.

Consider:

• Do I have a strong sense of who I am in Christ?
• Am I prepared for the emotional ups and downs of relationships?
• Do I understand the difference between attraction, emotional connection, and spiritual compatibility?

A healthy relationship isn’t just about feelings—it’s about mutual respect, trust, and shared values.

4. Emotional and Physical Purity: The Bonds That Last

Soul ties are real—guard your heart as much as your body.

Purity is often thought of as just avoiding physical sin, but emotional intimacy creates strong bonds, too.

Even after a breakup, those emotional ties can linger. Many married couples struggle with thoughts of past relationships, comparison, and regret.

If you feel tied to someone from your past, it’s time to break free.

Steps to breaking unhealthy emotional bonds:

1. Take your thoughts captive. Redirect your mind to God’s truth (2 Corinthians 10:5).
2. Pray for healing. Ask God to renew your heart and break unhealthy attachments.
3. Seek forgiveness. Confess any past mistakes and allow God’s grace to restore you.
4. Cut off communication if necessary. Some relationships need to stay in the past for you to fully heal.

Purity isn’t just about what you do—it’s about what you allow your heart to dwell on.

5. Making a Relationship and Sexual Health Plan

Purity is not just about saying no—it’s about saying yes to God’s best.

If you were planning your dream wedding, wouldn’t you put thought and preparation into it? Your future marriage deserves just as much care.

Your Relationship Plan:

• What do you want in a future spouse?
• What dating boundaries will you set to honor God?
• Who will keep you accountable in your decisions?

Your Sexual Health Plan:

• How will you stay pure physically and emotionally?
• What temptations do you need to prepare for?
• Who can you turn to for wisdom and encouragement?

God’s best is worth protecting.

6. Dealing with Peer Pressure and Culture’s Influence

Culture promotes casual relationships, but God calls us to intentional love.

Our culture makes purity look outdated and casual hookups seem normal. But as Christians, we are called to something better.

How to stand firm in your convictions:

• Be clear about your values and communicate them early in relationships.
• Surround yourself with people who respect and encourage your commitment to purity.
• Seek out godly mentors and accountability partners who will challenge you to stay strong.

You don’t have to follow the crowd. You can stand out by standing firm.

7. Walking in Freedom: Moving Toward the Future with a Clean Slate

No matter your past, God offers a fresh start.

Maybe you’re reading this and thinking, I’ve already made mistakes. It’s too late for me.

That’s a lie.

God is the God of second chances. No matter what you’ve done, you are not beyond His grace.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9

If you need a fresh start:

• Confess your past to God—His forgiveness is immediate.
• Choose to walk in purity from this moment forward.
• Surround yourself with people who will encourage and support your decision.

You are not defined by your past. God’s grace allows you to step into a future of freedom.

8. Final Challenge: Committing to God’s Best

Your future marriage is worth protecting today.

Take a moment to reflect. What kind of love story do you want to tell?

• Write down three personal commitments for your relationships and sexual health.
• Pray for your future spouse and for wisdom in your choices.
• Find a community that will encourage and support you.

God’s plan for love is worth the wait.

The world may try to convince you that purity is restrictive, but the truth is this: purity is freedom. It’s the freedom to step into marriage without baggage. It’s the confidence of knowing you honored God with your heart and body.

No matter where you’ve been, you can choose today to walk in purity, wisdom, and grace.

Your future is worth it. Your heart is worth it. God’s best is worth it.

Resources

Praying for Your Future Husband is perfect for women of all ages who are dreaming about “The One.” God has a beautiful romance prepared for you. Prayer is the key to unlocking the love story … with your future husband and with God, the lover of your soul.

Before You Meet Your Future Husband focuses on three areas you, as a young woman, need to address in preparing for marriage:

• your heart—nurturing a place where healthy love can grow
• your head—realigning your thoughts with biblical truth
• your hands—learning to make the most of your God-given potential

This uplifting, interactive devotional helps you approach dating from a place of peace and strength, whether you’re in a relationship now or simply hope to be married one day. With a focus on your own transformation, Before You Meet Your Future Husband offers biblical guidance, real-life stories, thought-provoking questions, and intentional prayers to help you prepare now for the future God has in store for you.