What the Bible Says About Kissing Might Surprise You
I was 17 when I experienced my first real kiss on the lips. It wasn’t the thrilling experience I had anticipated. Maybe that’s because it came from a 70 year Ukrainian pastor with a 5 o’clock shadow that you could have scrubbed the floor with!
I guess a big smack square on the lips from a man who is four times your age isn’t what most teenage boys hope for. On the other hand it is quite Biblical!
I prefer to reserve most kisses for my wife but that’s Biblical too!
Read the Bible and it doesn’t take long before your run into some kissing. In fact there’s a lot of kissing going on in the Bible and it may just surprise you when you find out what the Bible really says about it!
There are about 45 references to kissing in the Bible.
- 93% of kissing happens outside of marriage.
- 73% of kissing happens between two men.
- 20% of kissing happens between a man and a woman.
- 4% of kissing happens between two women.
There is one reference to kissing an idol (Hosea 13:2).
Righteousness and Peace once shared a kiss (Psalm 85:10).
Jesus was kissed twice:
- Once as a sign of devotion by a former prostitute.
- Once as a sign if betrayal by a former disciple. How ironic is that?!
5 times in the New Testament kissing is commanded of believers.
And that brings us to an important question. Are you kissing outside of your marriage? If you’re not, then you should start, after all it is a command! Ok, I understand that we might have a few cultural differences from Bible times. Those differences could make kissing anyone but your children and spouse a little weird. So let’s take a look at the significance of a Biblical kiss.
What does a Biblical kiss signify?
- Respect and honor
- Love
- Fidelity
- Deep emotional attachment
- Joy or sadness
- Loyalty
These are important aspects of a relationship. We need to realize that often words are not enough to communicate the significance of how we feel towards another person or to show the importance of that relationship. Physical affection can go a long way to deepen and strengthen a relationship.
If we are not expressing these things through a kiss then we need to find other appropriate physical expressions. Here are some suggestion that might work better in Western cultures.
Alternatives to Kissing
- Handshake
- Full hug
- Side hug (man hug)
- Hand on the shoulder
- Pat on the back
- Fist bump
Whatever method you choose it’s important that you take into consideration the culture, the setting and the person. In the Bible most physical signs of affection were outside of marriage but they were also same-sex. It’s especially important not to go overboard with the physical affection when it comes to the opposite sex, especially outside of the family.
Now those are good thoughts to bring a smile to the face. I think that even without touching, smiling can communicate affection to another person. That picture is great!!!
Interesting references on people kissing in the Bible. I have found appropriate touch (on the shoulder or hand) is a great way to show you care/value the person and conversation.
I also find that there is something very reassuring and encouraging about that type of touch.
Holding hands? Massage, if you’re strong enough to let it not lead further.
I think those are both valid in certain circumstances. I live in a country where massage is really a valued part of the culture. Once I was at a seminar in another church and I had to drive about 12 hours to get home. An older woman saw that I looked pretty tired so she offered to give me a massage. It was great!
I live in a culture where kissing, even between two men, is acceptable. Personally, I limit myself to hugging, shaking hands and smiling (people tell me I have a great,warming smile). My personal choice has been to avoid kissing and hugging when I have a cold or I have a wound on my face. Discretion and wisdom ought to be exercised about kissing and hugging others even if we are going to be misunderstood by some.
Great advice Helen! Thanks for commenting!