Have you ever used celibacy and abstinence interchangeably believing the two mean the same thing?
Believe it or not, the belief that they are the same thing is completely common. Despite how often the terms are mixed up and confusing for people, celibacy and abstinence carry two different meanings.
In this post, we’ll discuss abstinence and celibacy, touching on their meanings, similarities, differences, and motivations behind choosing either path. If interested, we’ll also discuss which would be the best choice for you.
CELIBACY VS ABSTINENCE: SIMILAR PRACTICES, DIFFERENT MEANINGS
By definition, abstinence is restraining oneself from indulging in something. It is typically a temporary choice of deliberately restraining yourself from sexual activity for a certain time. It is often considered an option before marriage, to focus on personal growth or development, or for religious or spiritual commitments. This could be, of course, sex, but also people may choose to abstain from certain foods, alcohol, social media, gambling, shopping, etc.
Celibacy, on the other hand, is a lifestyle commitment. By definition, it’s the voluntary renunciation of sexual activity, often for religious, spiritual, or personal reasons. Those who choose it, choose to opt out of sex altogether. People who are religious, or have no desire to be in a marital relationship often practice the art of celibacy.
CELIBACY VS ABSTINENCE: DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES
Now that you have an understanding of their definitions, let’s see a few ways they’re similar and different.
Timeframe- Abstinence is temporary whereas Celibacy is long-term.
Motivation– The motivation for abstinence is rooted in personal values, religious beliefs, health concerns, or relationship goals. Celibacy is usually motivated by spiritual, religious, or personal beliefs, dedicated to a higher purpose.
Scope- Being abstinent means refraining from sexual intercourse but may also include other forms of intimacy like kissing. Celibacy, on the other hand, reframes all forms of intimacy altogether.
Even though celibacy and abstinence are different, they both are similar in displaying powerful benefits.
Celibacy and abstinence both carry powerful similarities such as prioritizing personal growth, self-control, and discipline. This means both are forms of self-care that encourage personal growth and spiritual development as well as demonstrate abilities to resist temptation while walking with greater awareness and commitment than most people. The discipline associated with celibacy and abstinence can test one’s mental and emotional strength, as well as reveal the strength of one’s convictions.
CELIBACY OR ABSTINENCE…WHICH ONE IS FOR YOU?
If you don’t desire marriage, to have kids, and want to remain single while investing your time or attention on your career or other personal desires and goals, then celibacy is for you. Those who choose it often engage and focus on friendships, community, or career projects. You can read about celebs who chose this route HERE
But if you desire marriage, enjoy being cuddled up, and know suppressing your sexual urges for the rest of your life is not your cup of tea, then abstinence is the right choice for you. Choosing abstinence was a crucial decision for me while believing in God for a husband. It helped bring awareness to the wrong things, and guys I was invested in while assisting me to increase my focus on things that actually mattered like my mental health and motherhood.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, keep in mind that celibacy and abstinence are decisions that carry similarities but are significantly different in terms of their duration, scope, and motivation. Understanding these differences is important because they can help you respect both lifestyles and the personal convictions that drive them.
So, this means if you’re on the phone with a guy don’t tell him you’re ‘celibate’ as this may confuse him and sound like you don’t know what you’re talking about. You may indeed run him off, LOL.
Now that you have a clearer understanding of celibacy and abstinence, what are your thoughts on these lifestyles? Which one could you see yourself practicing? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
