Sexual Purity
Students reflect that they are followers of Jesus Christ by loving God and others through practicing biblical holiness and sexual purity. Keeping relationships pure is the responsibility of all students, faculty and staff. Conduct between all members of the community should be respectful and conform to biblical standards. To avoid tempting situations, students are to limit their physical contact. Inappropriate displays of public affection are not acceptable between any members of the LBC community; this does not merely apply to couples in romantic relationships. Inappropriate displays include kissing, prolonged hugs and excessive physical contact that is, or can appear to be, sexual in nature. Sexual harassment of any type will not be tolerated.
Students are urged to avoid placing themselves in situations where biblical standards may be compromised or appropriate accountability is absent. Students are expected to conduct themselves with wisdom and integrity in their relationships, whether married or unmarried.
Unmarried students are not to spend the night in the presence of an individual to whom they could be sexually attracted or tempted. Likewise, unmarried couples are not to spend the night together in a home, off-campus apartment, hotel, or similar setting without the presence of a parent, guardian, or other appropriate adult.
Married students are expected to honor the commitments and boundaries of their marriage and to exercise appropriate wisdom and accountability in situations involving individuals other than their spouse. Students who are dealing with sexual purity issues, sexual addictions, or other sexual sins are urged to seek help by talking with professors or other College staff to seek advice regarding available supports inside and outside of the LBC community. Students will be counseled toward accountability and living a life of choices that reflect obedience to God and his scripture. Students that have struggled with sexual purity and have confessed this to the Lord while seeking guidance from the college will be addressed in a redemptive manner. This established goal, however, does not eliminate the possibility of disciplinary action.
Factors to consider regarding sexual purity:
- Consider biblical guidance:
- Acknowledge the issue of the ownership of our bodies – 1 Corinthians 6:12-19
- Present our bodies to God as instruments of righteousness – Romans 6:11-14; 12:1-2; Colossians 5:3-10
- Submit to the Spirit’s control – Galatians 5:16-25
- Be on the offensive against sexual temptation – Romans 13:13-14; 1 Corinthians 9:26-27; Ephesians 6:10-17
- Consider sexual expression only in the context of biblical marriage:
- Confined to marriage – Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:2-4
- Defined by divine design – biblical marriage is the union between one man and one woman, and sexual intimacy is reserved for marriage only. Therefore, any sexual expressions outside of that realm (sex before marriage, homosexuality, adultery, fornication, etc.) are immoral and against God’s design. – Genesis 2:18-25
- Consider a pregnancy outside of marriage:
- Should a student become involved in a pregnancy while unmarried, she/he is encouraged to communicate with one of the student services staff. Students can expect to be treated with Christian love as they deal with their new circumstances. Every effort will be made to ensure confidentiality, but the life and health of the mother and baby, as well as the spiritual well-being of the baby’s parents and the LBC community, are our primary concerns. – Galatians 6:1-2; 2 Corinthians 2:7-11
- Continuity of on-campus residence and/or enrollment as a student at LBC will be considered in light of what is best for all those involved.