Biblical Guidelines for Dating: Understanding God’s Will for Relationships

by Sister McCook

The Bible is the ultimate source of wisdom when it comes to relationships, including dating.

As Christians, we strive to follow God’s plan and purpose for our lives, and dating is no exception.

However, with the abundance of conflicting messages and societal norms, it can be challenging to understand God’s guidelines on dating.

Let’s look at what the Bible says about relationships and uncover God’s will for us in dating.

God-centered relationships are the foundation of dating

According to the Bible, relationships should always be centered around God.

Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

This means that we must prioritize our relationship with God above anything else, including dating.

We should never enter a relationship solely for our own desires or pleasure but for God’s purpose and glory.

Pursue purity and honor in your relationships

The Bible is clear that sexual immorality is sinful and goes against God’s plan for our lives.

1 Corinthians 6:18 reminds us to, “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”

As Christians, we are called to pursue purity and honor in our relationships.

We must refrain from premarital sex and other forms of sexual sin and instead honor God with our bodies.

Date with intentionality and respect

Dating is not just about having fun or passing time.

It is a serious commitment that should be approached with intentionality and respect.

Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

We should guard our hearts and emotions and date with a purpose, seeking a partner who shares our same values and beliefs.

We should also treat others with respect and kindness, avoiding harmful behaviors such as manipulating or ghosting.

Seek wise counsel and accountability

Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors, they succeed.”

We must seek wise counsel and accountability in our dating relationships.

We can seek guidance from trusted Christian friends or mentors who will offer sound advice and hold us accountable to God’s standards.

We should also be willing to listen to constructive criticism and make wise decisions based on God’s will.

Seek God’s guidance in your relationships

Ultimately, God should be the center of our dating relationships, and we must seek His guidance in every aspect.

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

We must trust in God’s plan and direction for our relationships and seek His will through prayer and reading His Word.

Dating is a beautiful aspect of life, and as Christians, we must approach it with godly wisdom and guidance.

Understanding God’s guidelines on dating will enable us to honor Him in our relationships and make wise decisions that align with His will.

As we seek God’s plan and purpose for our lives, we can trust that He will guide us through our dating experiences and ultimately lead us to the partner that He has prepared for us.

Let us approach dating with a heart of humility, prayer, and faith, trusting in God’s perfect timing and plan for our lives.

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