I’ve been asked this question quite often, and it’s important we tackle it head-on with clear, biblical truth.

Let’s settle something right at the beginning: if you’re not married, sexual intimacy is entirely off-limits. The Bible leaves no ambiguity here. Hebrews 13:4 clearly says, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” So if you’re unmarried, the answer is straightforward—abstain completely.

However, when it comes to married couples who are fasting, things become a bit more nuanced. The Apostle Paul addresses this very topic in 1 Corinthians 7. He emphasizes that within marriage, each spouse has authority over the other’s body. In simple terms, your body isn’t solely your own—it also belongs to your spouse. Paul explicitly instructs husbands and wives not to deprive each other of intimacy, except by mutual consent and only for a specific, limited time devoted to prayer and fasting.

Why is this important? Because while fasting is a time to discipline your flesh and draw closer to God, you also don’t want to inadvertently create a scenario where you or your spouse might be tempted. Paul’s teaching is clear: you shouldn’t unilaterally decide to abstain from intimacy without your spouse’s agreement, particularly during extended periods of fasting and prayer. The enemy can exploit the absence of intimacy to bring temptation, and that’s precisely what you want to avoid during your dedicated spiritual season.

To clarify, it is not a sin for married couples to have sex during fasting periods, provided there is mutual agreement. The issue arises only if one partner withholds intimacy without consent from the other. Fasting doesn’t provide an excuse to neglect your spouse’s needs or create unnecessary frustration or temptation. Always exercise wisdom, communicate openly, and ensure you both agree on how to handle intimacy during fasting.

If you’re considering an extended fast, it’s wise to discuss it thoroughly with your spouse beforehand. Agree together on how you’ll navigate intimacy during that period. Unity—spiritual and physical—is the key to maintaining peace in your marriage and honoring God throughout your fast.

To help you maximize your fasting journey, I’ve created a FREE Fasting Starter Kit. It’s packed with practical tips, key scripture references, and effective strategies to empower your fast. Be sure to download your copy here.

And if you’re ready to dive deeper, consider my book, A Complete Guide to Biblical Fasting, where I unpack everything you need to understand fasting from a biblical perspective. Get your copy here.

Since you’re exploring fasting, don’t miss my next video, on my Christian Fasting Guide YouTube Channel where I share 15 practical, step-by-step tips to supercharge your fasting journey. Subscribe here.