Whom Do You Prioritize
When my wife and I were dating, we were both believers and very serious about our faith. But the more we fell in love the easier it was to be distracted by thinking about the other one, talking to each other and spending time together every free moment. Sometimes we would spend hours a day together but not spend any time alone with God that day. We knew this was wrong.
We came up with an idea. Actually, I think it was my wifes. We decided going forward, no matter what, we would not spend any time together if we had not first spent time alone with God in the Word and prayer. Now, the Bible doesnt lay down this law and neither am I. You could easily turn this into some legalistic mantra that you have to read the Bible daily for so long before you can date. That would be sin to make an authoritative prescription.
It would also be sinful to think if I read my Bible daily before my time with my girlfriend, then God is obligated to bless the relationship. Im not saying that at all. I am only offering this practical application of the principle, to prioritize your relationship with God over your relationship with any other human, even a spouse.
Inspiring Bible Verses About Dating And Relationships
Gods word is an incredible resource for discernment and life. The Bible explains and reveals Gods plan for joy-filled relationships and marriages. Within its pages, the Bible holds an incredible wealth of information about love, relationships, and marriage.
These seventeen encouraging and refreshing Bible verses about love and marriage are perfect for bringing to prayer. Meditate on the meaning of Gods words about the goodness of human love.
Whether you are single, dating, engaged or married, these bible verses on dating are good to write down in a journal, or even on sticky notes! Leave them throughout the house to remind you of Gods plan for our relationships and love life.
What To Look For In A Godly Man
Take this into consideration. Is he a man? Is he growing into a man? Does he want to be a leader? Look for godliness because a husband is to one day be your spiritual leader. Look for his love for the Lord and the advancement of His kingdom. Is he seeking to bring you towards Christ? Does he work hard?
Does he have godly and respectable goals? Can he handle money well? Is he generous? Is he living in godliness and seeking to obey the Word? Is God working in his life and making him more like Christ? Does he have a strong prayer life? Does he pray for you? Is he honest? Does he seek to take your purity? How does he treat others? Is he violent?
22. Titus 1:6-9 one who is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of wildness or rebellion. For an overseer, as Gods administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.
23. Psalm 119:9-11 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
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The Reason For Christian Breakups
Some of you are in a relationship with the person that God wants you to marry and you will eventually marry. Sometimes Christians get into relationships with Christians and it just doesnt work out. I know it hurts, but God uses this situation to work in a believers life to conform them into the image of His Son and build their faith. God will replace the person He has taken away with someone better. Trust in Him.
27. Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
28. Isaiah 43:18-19 Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Christian Quotes About Dating
Relationships should draw you closer to Christ, not closer to sin. Dont compromise to keep anyone, God is more important.
Your heart is precious to God so guard it, and wait for the man who will treasure it.
Dating with no intent to marry is like going to the grocery store with no money. You either leave unhappy or take something that isnt yours. Jefferson Bethke
If God is going to write your loves story, Hes going to first need your pen.
You cant save them by dating them. Let God change their heart before you try to start a relationship with them.
A passion for God is the most attractive feature a man can possess.
The best love stories are those written by the author of love.
Broken things can become blessed things, if you let God do the mending.
She has his heart and he has her heart, but their hearts belong to Jesus.
A God centered relationship is worth the wait.
Imagine a man so focused on God that the only reason he looked up to see you is because he heard God say, thats her.
A real man opens more than your doors. He opens his Bible.
The closer a man and woman are to God, the closer they are to each other.
Dating tip: Run as fast as you can towards God. If someone keeps up, introduce yourself.
Love says: Ive seen the ugly parts of you, and Im staying. Matt Chandler
I want a relationship where people look at us and say, you can tell God put them together.
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Whats The Purpose Of Christian Dating 3 Surprising Insights
Have you ever stopped to consider the purpose of Christian dating?
If you have, and youd say, to get married, I would wholeheartedly agree. Dating for fun is only fun for so long, especially if youre fighting hard to preserve sexual purity.
However, this answer doesnt explain everything about our dating lives as Christians. When we examine the purpose of dating in light of our ultimate goal in life, we see theres more to dating than meets the eye.
What Does It Look Like
Practically, what does it look like to prioritize your relationship with Christ above all things? Spend time with Him in His word and prayer. Spend time with His people through the local church and other helpful ministries.
Focus first on how much He loves you how He died to purchase you out of your sin so that He can have an eternal relationship with you. Experience His love. Love Him in response. Thats the best foundation to know how to love another person for life.
Copyright 2019 Olan Stubbs, used with permission.
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Final Thoughts On The Bible And Dating:
As Catholics, we believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. However, it is not our sole authority on Gods word. We believe that the Holy Spirit also guides us through Magisterial Church teaching and Church tradition. That said, other resources, like the Catechism of the Catholic Church or St. Pope John Paul IIs Theology of the Body, may be helpful when it comes to understanding what God says about dating and finding more Catholic dating advice.
Even though the Bible does not explicitly reference dating, it provides us with many stories of courtship, marriage, and lovethe greatest of these being Gods love for us. All of scripture points toward the love that Christ has for His peopleand that is the love that we are called to imitate in dating and ultimately, in marriage.
If Anyone Is Thinking About Dating Did You Talk To God First
If you havent consulted God about it that means that you havent asked Him if the person you have met is the person He wants you to marry. Christian dating does not consist of casual dating, which is unbiblical. This type of dating will leave you broken and all over the place and Im not even talking about sex. Non believers date for fun, for the moment, for a good time, for sex, to not be lonely, to impress people, etc.
If you dont think that you are going to marry this person and if you dont feel like God has possibly brought this person into your life for marriage, then stop wasting each others time. A relationship is not something to take lightly. Casual dating is a form of lust. It doesnt always have to be sexual. Lust is always selfish. It is always about I. Lust never seeks the Lord for His will.
Many people think they are in love for reasons such as the persons looks, communication skills, etc. No, did God send you the person? Do you believe God has called you to commit your life to this person in marriage? Falling in love is not in the Bible. True love is built on actions, choices, etc. It proves itself over time.
Many people get into relationships and when they break up they find out that they were not really in love. There are so many things in this world that help you deceive yourself. For example, sex, physical attraction, looking at other couples, constantly listening to love music, fear, constantly watching love movies, etc.
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Consider Writing A Statement Of Purpose
Ifclarity about marriage is the goal of Christian dating, it makes sense to beginwith clarity about dating. One way you can articulate your views and desiresfor a relationship is by writing a statement of purpose.
You can do this individually or together, but either way, it helps to discuss your thoughts with each other at some point. Use this sample statement of purpose and the purposes listed above as a guide, but feel free to explore other goals that fall within the ultimate purpose of glorifying God.
Whatare your hopes and goals for your relationship?
How Should Christians Approach Dating
Though there are many dating methods and rules suggested in Christian circles, the Bible does not explicitly discuss how a Christian should approach dating. Believers should place God first in their lives and seek to be pleasing to Him in all they do, including dating.
- Sophia BrickerContributing Writer
- 202118 Aug
Among modern evangelical Christians, there have been multiple books, movements, and rules presented as the biblical approach or method to dating. From Joshua Harris I Kissed Dating Goodbye in the early 2000s to the many rules for dating in contemporary Christian circles, there is no end to supposed scriptural views on dating.
Amid this overwhelming sea of methods and rules, many Christians wonder what the Bible says about this overly discussed topic and how they should approach dating.
Specifically, there is nothing in the Bible about dating. In fact, none of the people mentioned in the Bible ever dated but rather participated in prearranged marriages and betrothals. The modern Western idea of dating did not exist in biblical times and even many cultures today do not practice dating either.
Scripture, however, does provide a few general principles that can be applied to the modern practice of dating and courtship, including maintaining a proper perspective while dating and focusing on purity in romantic relationships.
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What God Says About Dating
When it comes to love, people have generally fallen into one of two camps. The first is those who think theyve mastered love or have reinvented the wheel with their personal touch on the word and its definition. The second is those who are searching and wondering what it really looks like.
Whatever camp you fall in, we can tell you that what you think you know or what youre looking for has actually already been defined.
God has already defined what love is. And there is no greater love and no love more real than that which God himself has declared and defined. 1 John 4:7 states that God is love and we ought to love one another properly as God intended because God is indeed love. If were in Christ, we also know God and inevitably understand what love is since weve been shown it.
Now, we know you all didnt come looking for another cheesy Sunday School answer. And yes, we are here to define what God says about dating. But before we get there, our first step is to pause and get honest with ourselves about which of these two ways describes how were currently approaching dating:
1 Resting in the sufficiency of Gods love thats ours in Christ
2 Chasing the false ideology of lovethat the satisfaction of being loved can be found somewhere other than God
Cambridge Dictionary defines the verb dating as to regularly spend time with someone you have a romantic relationship with.
We tend to disagree.
So, what does God say about dating? Everything.
Become A Healthy Person
The best way to have a healthy dating relationship is to become a healthy person. Gods word reminds us of the need for us to throw off the old baggage of sin, bad habits, and hang-ups and to become new each and every single day . Becoming more like Christ sets us up for interactions with others that reflect love, healing, and wholeness. I dont know about you, but I say thats a step in the right direction when it comes to dating well.
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See Dating As An Opportunity For Encouragement
No matter where we are or who we are with, above all else we are called to reflect Gods love, encouraging and uplifting those around us . Its important to remember that though dating should never be used for the purpose of bringing others to know Jesus, its still a chance to encourage and uplift those we come into contact with. Healthy interactions with others will leave us with little regrets, no matter what the long term outcomes.
Who Should You Date
The basis of whom to date at times can seem arbitrary, but in truth is foundational within the character of the person. A mans character is seen through his actions and words. Proverbs 10:9 shares, Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. The truth comes out, even if it has attempted to be hidden. Ephesians 5:1 shares, Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. This most accurately means living in such a way that the fruit of ones life is glorifying to the Lord and boasting in God alone. Proverbs 31 most famously remarks upon the attributes of a Godly wife, sharing in part, When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. The fruit of thoughts are words of the mouth, and the fruit of the heart are actions in life. A man or woman of integrity is not only to be praised but to be prayed for and sought after for a potential spouse.
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Does The Bible Say Anything At All On Dating
Have you ever asked what does the bible say about dating? Actually The Bible doesnt explicitly talk about dating as youd imagine since dating as we know it is a relatively new thing. But obviously people have always met and become familiar with each other prior to marrying except in arranged marriages. However the Bible is quite clear about the kind of people we mix and match with in general and it would sensibly follow to apply this to the even more serious matter of dating and eventually marriage itself. Here are some hints from The Bible
1 Cor 6:18: Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.
1 Cor 15:33 B: Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals.
2 Cor 6:15: Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
In Bible Christian dating it would make great sense to keep the above principles in mind. The fact is you usually end up marrying those you date, therefore, consider the persons you are dating and their relationship to the Lord . The child of God should always put their relationship to the Lord first. If we date people who are not in a right relationship to God , and we end up marrying them, there is a good chance that the unbeliever will cause us to fall away.
Thirdly, do not be deceived. If you hang around with creeps, you will become one! .
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Bible Verses To Guide You In Christian Dating
James 1:5
What does the Bible say about Christian dating? As Ive mentioned many times before, the Bible doesnt say anything directly about Christian dating. However, the Bible talks a lot about honoring God in every area of life.
Therefore, although the Bible does not talk about Christian dating directly, there are many Bible verses that should be directly applied to dating by Christians who want to honor God in their singleness and in their dating relationships.
In this article, Im going to share 5 of the most important Bible verses to help guide you in dating. Again, there is no blueprint or direct law in the Bible on how Christian dating should look. But regardless of what dating approach you take, the Bible should guide that approach. These Bible verses are just a small sample of how the word of God should directly shape your season of Christian singleness and dating.
1 Corinthians 7:39 Is a Bible Verses that Should Guide You in Dating: Do Not Marry an Unbeliever
A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.
One of the most important truths in the Bible that should guide Christian dating is the command to not marry an unbeliever. The Bible is not overly restrictive on who you should marry. Marriage is not a command. It is a biblical option. Therefore it should be no surprise that God gives us lots of personal freedom in our decisions about who we marry.
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