Principles of Christian Dating Part 1

 

Dating is a critical subject, and a foundation for possible marriage that can potentially lead to a life-changing decision. Marriage is among the most crucial decisions that you will ever make during this life. Building a strong foundation for marriage involves knowing the right way of dating.

Here are some important principles to remember when approaching this topic.

1. Commit to God first: Oftentimes in dating, people become infatuated and almost obsessed with their new boyfriend or girlfriend. Other important relationships often take a back seat to the new person they are dating. As a Christian, your first priority in all situations should always be the Lord (Matthew 6:33).

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”.

2. Guard your heart: The Bible tells us to be very careful about giving our affections, because our heart influences everything else in our life (Proverbs 4:23).

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life”

3.  Do not date unbelievers: One of the most glaring mistakes Christians do is dating someone outside of their faith. While emotion will cloud our thinking, it is best to listen to biblical wisdom. You will save yourself a lot of pain when you follow this principle. Christians should be deliberate about their relationship with the Lord, seeking to glorify Him in their life; they should also ensure that the person they are dating is completely in love with the Lord. Believers should not date unbelievers because of the possibility of marriage in any dating relationship (I Corinthians 14-16).

“DO NOT BE UNEQUALLY YOKED TOGETHER WITH UNBELIEVERS. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?  And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God”

Also, even if a Christian is dating a believer, they need to be aware of the other person’s relationship with God. Are they actively growing in their walk with Christ? Do they desire to love Him more than anything in the world, including being in a relationship or getting married? Believers should be aware of the spiritual state of the person they are seriously dating.

4. Date with marriage in mind: What is the primary purpose that you are dating? Are you dating just to have someone to hold, hug, kiss, or more than that? If you are dating just for fun, then you are missing the whole point of exclusive dating. Dating should be with intent on getting married, therefore, date a person with the values and goals that you look for in your marriage partner. Christian dating should be purposeful and intentional.

“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD” (Proverbs 18:22).

5. Avoid sexual immorality: It is understandable that dating someone you like and even love may easily lead to sexual temptations. If we are not careful, we might commit fornication and premarital sex. This is why the Bible strongly beseech everyone to watch out for this sin and do whatever it takes to avoid it (I Thessalonians 4:3-5).

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God”

Principles of Christian Dating Part 2