Christian Dating: Is It Biblical?

By Godssword Edet Friday, February 2, 2018

Having received tons of questions from Christian singles asking me whether it is right for Christians to practice what is popularly known as dating or not, I have decided to address this very topic on my blog today. Follow up and give your thoughts when you're done reading the piece.

I noticed that whenever the word 'dating' is mentioned in Christian circles, many views pop up from different angles, including those which do not line up with the Word and the desire of the Lord. The many diverse views on their own sow confusion among Christians. I know when it comes to such matters, we can't lay hands on plentiful scriptures to support our views, but we sure know that the Holy Spirit doesn't go against purity! We trust Him to leads us into all truth. Amen!

What Is Dating? 

Wikipedia defines dating as a stage of romantic relationships in humans whereby two people meet socially with the aim of each "assessing the other's suitability" as a prospective partner in an intimate relationship or marriage.

Notice that portion of the definition I put in quote. We don't need many definitions from different sources. This single definition tells it all.

One thing we must note is that dating is widely accepted and practised by the world. And the truth is that whatever the world welcomes with open arms often blend with its standards and goes against biblical standards. If it were against worldly standards, it wouldn't be popular. Dating is practised in almost all religions, sects and cults of Earth. Come to think of it, if it was godly, would it gain such popularity? I bet it wouldn't! The world and even many saints in the Church as turned the "assessing each others suitability" phrase to fornicating with each other and living with each other. I once heard a Christian lady say she has to first of all test whether her man is good in bed before she gets married to him. I don't know where that is written in the Word of God!

One deception the enemy has slipped into this generation is that they can get attracted to the opposite sex, fornicate and break up when they're done. That's what dating means to the world and to many in the Church. I've seen people who have stayed together for a long time and made children all in the name of dating. I've seen dating which didn't last for a month. Both parties went into it, fornicated and broke up.

Dating has become the devil's tool for sowing increased impurity among adolescents, youths and singles both in the Church and in the world today. I've seen denominations and youths ministries where Christians are dating, fornicating and breaking up to date another, all within the same circle. There are many factors responsible for the firelessness we are witnessing in the Church today. If Christians blend with the ways of the world and do what the world does, how can they call out the lost souls from the world into the Kingdom of God? We are unequally yoked with the world if we lower our standards to practice what they practice!

2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:17 KJV
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing ; and I will receive you,

Dating Vs Courtship

I neither endorse nor advise Christians to term the relationship they are into with the opposite gender 'dating'. That word carries a mantra which promotes sexual immorality. If what we are into with the opposite sex is serious and holy, we shouldn't find it difficult to give it a better name; one that sounds different and pure.

Let's see the meaning of Courtship also from Wikipedia:

Courtship is the period in a couple's relationship which precedes their engagement and marriage , or establishment of an agreed relationship of a more enduring kind. During courtship, a couple get to know each other and decide if here will be an engagement or other such agreement. A courtship may be an informal and private matter between two people or may be a public affair, or a formal arrangement with family approval. - Wikipedia

This definition alone shows us the superiority of courtship over dating. Courtship is an higher relationship. It's serious and holy, not worldly. In dating, there's room for flirting while in courtship there isn't. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit(1 Corinthians 6:19-20). If we are led to enter into a relationship with the opposite sex, it must be holy and with marriage is view.

Dating can veer one from God. Any relationship that causes you to gradually lose your grip on your relationship with the Lord can be rightly termed as dating. Courtship leads one closer to God, not farther. Dating is for the world, Courtship is for Christians. That is my take on the topic. Feel free to give your own views. This piece will also be updated if need be.

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