Sex During Fasting - Is it okay?

This time last year, I asked this question on my Facebook Wall – “Erm, this no sex during fasting, let’s discuss the matter o”

My friends did not let me down. I will give the perspectives without names.

Respondent 1

My thoughts on this are that as long as you end your fast at 6pm and by eating food and taking water, you should be able to have sex with your spouse after 6pm. Where I have issues is this – Should sex be between 6pm and 12 midnight or from 6pm -6am?

Someone says you can go up till 11:59 pm. My own response is that it is up to the couple participating in the fast. I have no express word from the Lord concerning this matter.

Respondent 2

Your fast begins from 12 midnight so let everybody hold body until after the fast. In case your spouse insists, my dear, you have no option but to concur.

Respondent 3

Except in the case of dry fasting, intimacy should be incorporated. There are several categories of fasting. Copulation is only prohibited from dry fasting.

I asked if there was a reason why copulation was prohibited from dry fasting and Respondent 5 says “Yes, because dry fasting by nature is uninterrupted. Nothing should interrupt it – sex, food, water etc”. Someone else asked for a scriptural reference but there was no response.

Respondent 4

Abstinence from sex should be by the consent of both parties but it should not be all the time to prevent Mr. Satan from entering.

Respondent 5

I believe you have 11 months to enjoy yourself. Sex is pleasurable and you are taking a break from all pleasures to seek God’s face. It must be in agreement with your spouse. And sex is not dirty, please.

I asked why we were talking about 1 month and 11 months and Respondent 5 did not respond. However, this respondent made reference to Isaiah 58.

Respondent 6

Sex as at the time the fasting is going on is no sin.

Respondent 7

If they are strong enough to have sex, so be it. Sex in marriage was not, is not and will never be a sin. It is a holy service unto the Lord.

Respondent 8

If we are fasting, every part of our life and body must experience the fasting since it is unto the Lord. Since the period of fasting is not eternity, why can’t we hold on till the fasting period is over?

I responded with this comment – “ This needs to be matched with 1 Corinthians 7: 1-5 to ensure one doesn’t get derailed (applicable for Christians). If you’re fasting and your spouse is burning, I don’t believe that fast is acceptable to God o. Abi I lie? Lol.

Respondent 9

Sex during fasting is a sin because when you are fasting, you must be holy.

When eyebrows were raised, Respondent 9 responded with “Don’t get me wrong, what I mean is that in as much as food is not allowed during fasting, sex must not be allowed too or is food a sin?”

Respondent 10

Don’t confuse yourself, if you are married, sex is not a sin. Except for a straight fasting, do not deny your husband…I will advise you to follow your heart and belief.

Respondent 11

1 Corinthians 7:5 – Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourself to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

Respondent 12

Eating is not sinful, neither is marital sex. The reason why food and sex should be off the plate while fasting is to deny the flesh to feed our spirit more. Once food has been re-introduced, sex can also be re-introduced.

Thus, if one is fasting for 50 days and eats by 6pm, the individual has broken the fast at that point and is also free to engage in sexual activities.

I thoroughly enjoyed this discussion. I hope you did too. What do you think? Should sex and fasting mix? Leave us a comment.