The night this article was written, I was scrolling through Twitter and found this tweet from a user...
...so now this entire article was sparked from this one small, significant tweet; why we can't date if you don't follow Christ.
I 100% understand what this user meant when they said this. We could miss out on something, with another human if we live by this rule, but that's a chance I am willing to take, but is there truth in my logic?
Yes, there is biblical truth in my logic. In order for you to really believe in what I'm saying/quoting, you have to believe that the entire bible, all the way from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, is true.
1 Corinthians 10:31
"So, whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
This verse is applicable in so many areas of life, but lets narrow it down specifically to dating. When I date someone, I want our relationship to glorify Christ. We will be spending a lot of time together. We need to have a mutual understanding to point each other to Christ with our words and actions, because it is impossible to spend time with someone else and not pick up their habits.
Which brings me to my next several verses...
1 Corinthians 15:33
"Do not be deceived 'Bad company ruins good morals"
Proverbs 13:20
"Walk with the wise and become wise, for a comparison of fools suffer harm."
Romans 12:2
"Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..."
2 Corinthians 6:14
"Do not be unequally yoked with nonbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness or what relationship has light without darkness"
Have you ever listened to inappropriate music? Probably. If I listen to music that is constantly cursing and using inappropriate banter, at some point this will be influenced in my life, whether it be I say a cuss word, or make an inappropriate remark. It will happen. The same thing goes for people. If I hang around people who constantly party and drink till they're out of their minds, then at some point I will participate in those activities. Christ calls us to be friends with these people, and bring them to him, but that means being kind and not judging them - not spending every waking moment with them. This is very true with dating, if I am dating someone who doesn't have my heart in their best interest, I am defeating myself. They may lead me down a dangerous path of sin. This is why it's best to choose someone who makes the daily choice to point himself/herself to Christ.
1 Corinthians 7:39
"... she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord."
Malachi 2:15
"... you belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring."
Dating without the intent of marriage is pointless. It's great to have someone who accepts you for the person you are, but if you don't want to marry them and you know it, you're leading them on. If I befriend a nonbeliever, and am interested in dating them, a conversation will happen about their spirituality. If they have no desire to pursue the Lord, then our relationship won't start. I know when I decide to marry and have kids, my children will be raised in a bible preaching church. This would be a constant battle with a nonbeliever. We will be feuding on whether our children will practice a religion. It's not fair to either party involved, or our children. I wouldn't be able to have a successful marriage with someone who doesn't understand the importance of following Christ.
Deuteronomy 7:3-4
"Do not intermarry with them, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other Gods..."
When this was written, it was intended to be used as instructions for God's chosen people. He was telling them once they were delivered to their land, they were not permitted to intermarry with the new people. Not because of their race, but because they will be practicing other religions. This still holds truth today. If I date someone who isn't a believer in Christ, I will be pointed to other gods. This could be idolatry or a whole other religion. We have to protect our hearts. Christ has called us to be kind and love everyone, but this also means knowing when to break away and protect ourselves and glorify him.
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life."
When I am married, I want to love them through this entire life on earth, but I also want to spend eternity with them praising our sovereign Lord. This is the main reason I am waiting to meet the guy who sweeps me off of my feet and points me to Jesus. Heaven isn't heaven without my husband in it with me.
