Dating Biblically
Dating biblically means honoring God with your relationship. But first you need to know what your opinions are over it. What do you think are the boundaries for dating?
Who you’re dating - A big thing (of course!) is who you’re dating. Is it someone that can bring you closer to God? Is it someone who wants to honor God? The thing is, whoever you’re with a lot, you usually act like. For me, I’ll do something and think ‘Wow, that was just like so and so!'. If you hang out a lot with the person you’re dating, do you want to be like them?
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
When you do date someone, stay good to them. That means no cheating, playing, etc. You want to respect them, just like you want to be respected. Also, if you really do like them, you normally don’t want to hurt them anyway.
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Song of Songs 7:10 I belong to my lover, and his desire is for me.
A great tip for dating is to remember that God is always watching. If you feel bad that God is watching, then you shouldn’t be doing it. Also, your parents taught you stuff for a reason. Remember their limits, and keep those.
Proverbs 6:20-24 My son, keep your father's command and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life, keeping you from your neighbor's wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.
It can be kind of scary, but it really isn’t hard. Remember to honor God, and what your parents have taught you. Then you’ll be able to honor God in all kinds of ways!
Notes:
Proverbs 5:3-4 For the lips of an adultress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is as bitter as gall, sharp as a double edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.
Have eyes only for the person you're dating, no one else. Song of Songs 2:2 Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the maidens.
Proverbs 21:21 He who persues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor.
Everyone has their 'line' of what they think is going too far. You don't want to just go up to the very edge of the line and sit there. Imagine the line is fire. If you're 20 feet away, you're pretty safe. If you're 15 feet away, you're getting warm with a few sparks by you. If you're 10 feet away from the fire, then you're getting hot and some big chunks could fly out and hit you. The farther you are from the line, the safer.
When you're dating, don't even think about another person lustfully. You shouldn't anyway. For in Matthew, Jesus says that when you look at a woman lustfully, you have already committed adultery with her in your mind. When you do that, you seperate not only from God, but with the person your in a relationship with.
A tip for staying pure while dating: If you had your future husband or wife with you while you were with your boyfriend or girlfriend, would you be proud of what you're doing?