So you’re a young adult, you love God, and you are kind-of, sort-of interested in the opposite sex. Before you go all gaga into tongue-in-throat, cloud-nine, puppy love, hold up. Don’t pass go, don’t collect $200 and for goodness sake, don’t start a relationship unprepared. You’re interested in someone, and the feelings are mutual. Seems simply enough, right? Wrong.

We all know the proverbs about the adulterous woman, the admonition for purity in 1 Timothy and Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians to be concerned with the things of the Lord and not to burn with passion. Clearly, relationships require caution and proper procedures. If you desire to be holy and honor the Lord with your life, then there are several rules you must follow when getting to know the opposite sex. Romance may sound sweeping and beautiful, but it is the disciplined Christians who acts in true love and faithfulness.

If you are wondering about how to navigate the dangerous waters of Christian dating, don’t fear. Here are seven principles to help you on your journey.

1. First of all, you shouldn’t be dating.

For Christians, courtship is the only viable option. Take a look at dating in the world around you — do you really want to emulate its casual hook-up culture? The only way to honor a woman, her family and God himself is for the man to court her. Take a look at “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” for more advice on this topic.

2. Men must ask the father’s permission before every date or planned get-together.

Sure the woman may be 22, may be living out of the house and have her own job, but she is under her father’s guardianship as long as she is single. You don’t want to deceive your parents or act in such a way that dishonors your mother or father!

3. You must determine whether God wants your significant other to be “the one” for you.

This takes a lot of prayer and hefty consideration. After all, you don’t want to mess up and start pursuing a relationship with someone when it isn’t God’s will for you to marry them! God has one, specific person for you, and it is your job to find him or her.

4. Do not start dating unless you are both financially, emotionally and spiritually stable enough to marry within the year.

5. Make sure that you aren’t thinking too much about your significant other.

Daydreaming about him or her may sound fun, but it’s a distraction to the important work God has for you. Limit yourself to one short reverie a day about how godly and upright he or she is. That way, you won’t be too emotionally attached and endanger your heart.

6. You shouldn’t spend time alone with your boyfriend or girlfriend.

Hang out with your friends in groups or spend time with your families, but don’t watch movies by yourselves or go on walks by yourselves or sit on a field and watch stars by yourselves. You’ll just provide an opportunity for temptation.

7. Don’t kiss. It’s the gateway drug.

If you disagree with any of these principles, please do as the psalmist does and examine thine own heart. Ask God to search you and know you and see if there is any grievous way in you that will hinder you from the road to salvation.