A lot of times, young people want to know exactly where to draw the line in terms of physical intimacy in a relationship. First and most important, we must be fully informed and educated about the risks and responsibilities of certain physical acts before we can even think about crossing a line. Once we are educated about the truth behind sexual activity, we must draw a boundary for ourselves and take responsibly for our actions, knowing fully the risks involved.

Also, whenever we operate with the "how far is too far" mentality, where do we usually end up? More often than not, we sneak up to that line we have created, inching forward to see what we can get away with. Think of it this way: when we were kids, our parents set certain boundaries for us. For example, “don’t play in the street”, or, “come in before dark”. These were not useless commands governed by controlling parents; these were protective, loving rules based on the dangerous risks at hand.

So, if our parents set boundaries to protect their children, then we must set boundaries to protect ourselves. It is a conscious decision to choose to steer clear of any risks that could damage our health, and the health and wellbeing of our girlfriend or boyfriend. So where does the line go? For each person it might be different. For starters, know that the line begins in your mind. We must learn to build self-control and character, traits that will be essential in a marriage. In regards to physical boundaries, here’s an easy guideline to remember, "Don't touch what you don't got." Also, things like passionate kissing, drinking or drugs, spending a lot of time alone, or lying down together can accelerate physical activity quickly, leading you to make decisions you may regret.

The truth is, the more you become sensual and physical in a relationship, the more the relationship begins to revolve around that. Begin to patiently explore the intellectual and emotional depth of your partner, knowing you have the rest of your life to become physically intimate in the committed, safe setting of marriage.