DATING AND COURTSHIP: A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE (PART 1)
Dating and Courtship are two methods of beginning a relationship with the opposite sex.
While there are non-Christians who date with the intention of having a series of exclusive intimate physical relationship, for the believer in Christ, this is not acceptable and should not be reason for dating.
Many Christians see dating as little more than friendship and maintain the friendship aspect of dating until both people are ready to commit to each other as potential marriage partners.
First and foremost, dating is a time when a Christian finds out if his or her potential marriage partner is also a believer in Christ.
The Bible warns us that a believer and an unbeliever should not marry each other because those living in the light and those living in the darkness cannot live in harmony (2 Cor.6:14-15).
In fact, the very meaning of dating is nothing but spending time with your lover and sharing time to get to know each other. A good dating ends up with talk, but today people, including most "Christians" are misusing the opportunity and creating a new meaning of dating.
Owing to this, I deemed it expedient to bring in this subject to help Christian singles on Steemit to be focused.
Many Christians believe that dating is the world's way to find a spouse, hence they prefer to use the word "courting" which to them is more of a scriptural way to meet a prospective partner than dating.
Courtship therefore, is a relationship between a man and a woman in which they seek to determine if it is the will of God for them to marry each other. Courting allows for the two people to truly get to know each other in a more platonic setting without the pressure of physical intimacy or emotions clouding their views.
There are problems inherent with both relationship styles.
For daters, spending time alone with a member of the opposite sex whom we find attractive can present temptations that can be very hard to resist.
The Christian dating couple must have boundaries in place and be committed to not cross those established boundaries.
If they find this hard to do, they must take steps to ensure that Christ will always be honoured during their time together and that sin is never given a chance to take hold of their relationship.
It is important to know that neither dating nor courtship is mandated in the Bible.
In the end, the Christian character and spiritual maturity of the people involved is far more important than the exact nature of how and when they spend time together.
Furthermore, scripturally speaking, the result of the process (Godly Christian men and women) marrying and raising families to the glory of God is far more important than the method they use to achieve that result.
"Therefore whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (I Cor. 10:31).
DATING: THE BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE
What does the bible says about dating and courtship?
Although the terms "dating" and "courtship" are not found in the Bible, we are given some principles that Christians are to go by during the time before marriage.
The first is that we must separate from the world's view on dating because God's way contradicts the world's (2 Peter 2:20).
Discover the character of a person before making any commitment to him or her.
We should find out if the person has been born again in the spirit of Christ (John 3: 3-8).
As born again children of God, the ultimate goal of dating or courting is finding a life partner. The Bible tells us that as Christians, we should not marry an unbeliever (2 Cor. 6:14-15) because this would weaken our relationship with Christ and compromise on morals and standard.
You will be living in a fool paradise if you think you will convert the man or woman that is not a Christian after marriage.
When one is in a committed relationship, whether dating or courting, it is important to remember to love the Lord above all things. (Matthew 10:37).
To say or believe that another person is "everything" or the most important thing in one's life is sin (Gal. 5:20, Col. 3:5).
Also, we are not to defile our bodies by having premarital sex (I Cor. 6:9,13; 2 Tim. 2:22).
Sexual immorality is a sin not only against God but against our own bodies (I Cor. 6:18).
It is important to love and honour others as we love ourselves (Rom.12:9-10) and this is certainly true for a courting or dating Christian.
Following these Biblical principles is the best way to have a secure foundation for a marriage. It is one of the most important decisions we will ever make because when two people marry, they cleave to each other and become one flesh in a relationship which God intended to be unbreakable (Gen. 2: 24, Matt.19: 5).
Sex is worth waiting for.
To be continued...
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