Christians and Dating: Basic Tips

If you look in any bookstore, you'll find a large amount of books that concern dating and relationships. Look in the Christian section of the bookstore and you'll find even more books on finding and keeping the correct mate. The trouble is that once you look at the books, you may get conflicting views. One author will say to wait and pray until the Lord brings you your soul mate. Another author will encourage you to actively date. If you're trying to find some wisdom on dating as a Christian, this may cause you to have some hit or miss experiences. Following are some tips that may help you to streamline the Christian dating wisdom out there and help you to make godly decisions on your own.

Disciple the World, Date the Church

Let's narrow some things down before we get any further. It is extremely unwise to engage in any type of romantic relationship with someone that isn't a believer. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says "Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?" (NLT). Here's why: any dating relationship that you enter into is a test to see if you can eventually be married. If this person doesn't give their life to Christ, you marrying them condones their unbelief. Of course, we aren't supposed to judge non believers, but we are supposed to live lives that allow them to see the light of Christ. Along with that, there will be division in your household. Most importantly, the danger is that you'll back away from your convictions and drift away from the faith. Non believers are cool to have fun with, go to the mall with...but keep them off your dating list.

Dating, Courtship, or What?