What Does The Bible Say About Dating?

You’ve been dating for a while, but you still haven’t found “the one.” While signing up for a faith-focused site like Christian Mingle is a great first step, you also need to think about your dating philosophy. Are you basing your love life more on modern trends or on what God has to say about choosing a partner? The Bible doesn’t exactly address dating head on. However, if you look at certain passages, it’s easier to gain an understanding of what God wants when it comes to our romantic relationships. Here are some examples of what the Bible says about dating.

What Does The Bible Say About Dating?

1. Trust God

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” —Proverbs 3:5-6

What does the Bible say about dating? One of the main takeaways is a tip that works for all facets of life: trust God above all else.

Now, most people like to think they’re in total control of their own love life. It’s especially easy to see it this way when you’re searching for potential partners online. Before you even meet someone face to face, you get to size them up and make a judgement call about whether they’re worth your time.

Yet, even then, you need to trust God. While it’s smart to consider the pros and cons of potential dates, it’s important to remember that we need to step back and let God show us the way sometimes. Are you trusting God to lead you to your future spouse? Or are you pushing back on the direction he’s pushing you towards? God knows which partner is your best match, so take time to really listen to him when you’re dating.

2. Become A Worthy Partner

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” —Romans 12:2

So much of modern dating is focused on finding the right person. We make up lists in our heads of what our ideal partner would be like – their appearance, their job, their age, their personality, etc. For many, the goal is simply to find the person who checks off all the boxes on their ever-growing list.

What does the Bible say about dating? How is godly dating different from this modern version? For starters, the Bible instructs us to approach our relationships in a different way. Instead of looking for the right person for you, we should focus on becoming the right person for someone else. Are you working on yourself to make sure you’ll be a great spouse for your future husband or wife? How will you help meet your future spouse’s needs? Focus on meeting God’s will for you as an individual; it’s the best way to ensure that you’ll be ready for your future spouse when they walk into your life.

3. Value Your Body

“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” —1 Corinthians 6:18-20

What does the Bible say about dating – especially when it get physical? The Bible is pretty clear about sex and the fact that it’s best when reserved for marriage. But remember that this isn’t just a strict rule that comes with the territory of being a Christian; instead, it’s a mindset of seeing your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.

Temptations are going to be strong when you’re dating someone you really like; that’s just part of being human. But it can help to remember the true meaning behind the Bible’s urging to hold off on sexual intimacy. It’s not something God just made up to serve as a test of faithfulness; instead, it’s a reminder that our bodies have value, and that being careful with how we use them is a way to glorify God.

Are you following the Bible’s teachings about dating? It takes some close reading to see it, but God’s Word offers plenty of tips for dating successfully.

Biblical Guidance on Dating

While there may not explicitly be dating in the Bible, there’s certainly plenty of advice regarding how you should scout and evaluate a potential partner before offering your hand in marriage. Whether you’re talking about dating or courting , the Bible has a lot to say regarding what to be looking for in a potential life partner and which qualities they need to exhibit in order to prove they’re God-fearing individuals who are dedicated to a life orchestrated by the Gospel. Here are some key Biblical components to consider while you’re in the pursuit of a spiritual relationship.

Key Scriptures on Relationships

Before you start dating, you need to ensure you’re both on the same page in terms of your faith, meaning you actually hold like-minded beliefs and have similar traditional values in terms of expectations for church and how you apply Bible teachings in your daily life. This requires a mutual understanding of scripture and its principles, which allow you to apply these sacred texts to your relationship in hopes of developing a stronger bond. Here are a few verses that are especially relevant in relation to different Christian dating stages .

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

This quintessential Bible verse regarding the qualities of Godly love can be directly applied to relationships, as it highlights patience, respect, kindness, and mutual trust as some of the core principles of upholding a Christian romance.

Ephesians 5:22-33

While this passage is much more applicable to those nearing the consideration of marriage, it’s a pivotal piece of scripture that outlines the proper and Biblical way to approach dating even before marriage. While each couple may interpret it differently, the underlying message is that the relationship between man and woman is like Christ and His church and that the “husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.”

Proverbs 4:23

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Many people recognize this proverb, and it’s especially relevant when taking on the endeavor of dating with a spiritual mindset. Making sure that you state your expectations clearly, evaluating your partner’s true beliefs and values, and seeing multiple examples of their behavior on display are some ways to implement these protections.

Applying Biblical Teachings to Dating

First and foremost, since there’s no dating in the Bible, modern Christian courting usually takes a conservative route that includes an intentional and modest approach as a basic way to avoid getting caught up in the temptations of the secular world. Dating has a specific purpose, and that is to honor God’s glory with your relationship, so casually seeing people isn’t common.

Instead, Godly individuals are dating to marry, so having clear boundaries and expectations will help you not to waste time with people who don’t share your worldview. This is why talking about your lifestyle, goals, and personal relationship with God are perfect jumping-off points, since they offer you a glimpse of who someone is.

Principles for Christian Dating

Dating as a Christian isn’t meant to look like what the rest of society is doing. Men and women of God are often deeply concerned with things like purity, both in their faith and sexual morality. You also must showcase mutual respect for both Christ and each other, helping to validate dignity and worth. Finally, practicing devotion to one another both spiritually and in everyday challenges helps to encourage growth to become stronger in the Lord together.

Guidelines from Scripture

One of the most revered concepts from the Bible is using wisdom to select a viable partner. This means evaluating potential prospects by their fruits, and specifically looking for someone whose spiritual ducks are not only in order, but also align with yours. Christian dating is not meant to be easy, as patience and intentionality are required to ensure you’re not rushing the situation. It can take time to build a bond that leads to confidence in a lifelong relationship going forward. Finally, a key process in a healthy relationship is edification, where both parties are continuously building up one another, both spiritually and personally.

Prohibited Actions in Christian Dating

As a Christian, you probably already know that there are some specific things you can do while dating that are absolutely in violation of God’s laws. One of the most significant is sexual immorality, which is not just the idea of infidelity. This also includes any tempting situations which may lead to premarital interactions, as these actions are strictly prohibited until a couple if officially betrothed.

Another is idolizing your relationship above God himself, prioritizing your worldly needs instead of looking to the Father for guidance, understanding, and direction. Couples who become too ingrained in their own trials and tribulations and fail to remain steadfast in Christ won’t be following the teachings of the Gospel, which reiterates that no relationship supersedes a Christian’s relationship with our Lord and Savior.

Finally, depending on how liberal your Christianity or denomination is, you will need to consider the pros and cons of an unyoked relationship. While some people are comfortable dating non-believers and are content in their own relationship with God, many devout Christians are longing to be fulfilled in matrimony so that they can further strengthen their joint relationship with the Lord. While not necessarily prohibited, these types of relationships can present more unexpected challenges over time.

The Evolution of Dating Practices

It’s no surprise to anyone that the way Christians date has changed immensely over time. While you once relied on familial proceedings and courtship to dictate your future spouse, in modern times, you’re able to meet fellow Christians on your phone with the help of spiritual dating apps. Here’s a brief overview of Christian dating practices over time.

Dating in Biblical Times

There were very few romantic relationships in Biblical times, at least compared to the way we know them today. Because families methodically chose partners for their offspring by means of courtship, it was more of an evaluation of bloodline, reputation in the church, and monetary status. Dowries were often utilized in formality, and many of the first introductions and subsequent meetings were supervised. As communities eagerly watched to see if the couple was compatible, there was usually no personal say in the matter for the man or woman — just a submission to the families’ wishes.

Cultural Impact on Dating Over the Ages

Over the past few thousand years, there have been some clear and obvious changes to the culture of dating from the Christian perspective. One of the most obvious is in gender roles, as the woman is no longer reliant on her family to provide her with a potential partner — now she is able to go out into the world and see if she can find someone on her own.

Another is the sheer influence of Western culture, which has undoubtedly made daily life more casual, including dating. Christians intermingle with secular society, but many of the modern pleasures can still be enjoyed with a Biblical lens.

All of this culminates in more relaxed practices when searching for a partner, such as a long-term dating period or living with one another before tying the knot. While each couple will have to discuss and determine what is acceptable or not in accordance with their level of faith, this modern approach to dating as a Christian has allowed people more freedom to choose their partners with confidence, as opposed to making the most of what they were given.

Modern Interpretations of Biblical Dating

While dating as a Christian may look fundamentally different in today’s world, in practice, it’s very much the same. Your intentions matter over all, and as a Christian, pursuing any relationship without serious consideration for long-term viability is disingenuous. There may be tons of modern nuances that come with dating in the digital age, but following traditional Biblical principles will help you to stay vigilant in your beliefs and values, such as implementing regular prayer, seeking mentorship, and even practicing your own Bible studies together.

The Role of Online Dating

Online dating has been a tricky technology for many Christians to navigate, but thanks to the advent of spiritually-focused dating platforms like Christian Mingle, single men and women of God can feel confident that they’re part of a like-minded community with similar goals. Not only do Christian dating sites help you match with someone of your denomination who has the same level of devotion and church habits as you, but they can also pair you with individuals who enjoy your same hobbies and lifestyle as well. While you still need to perform thorough evaluations on who you are matching with, it’s promising to have a starting point where you both already know what to expect.

Meeting Like-Minded Believers Today

If you’re a single man or woman who identifies as a follower of Christ and is hoping to find the perfect life partner, you owe it to yourself to sign up for Christian Mingle today. We have an extensive community that features millions of Christians worldwide. Not only is our platform robust and focused on pairing users based on compatibility, but we also have a variety of resources ranging from first-date topics to spiritual dating advice for young and mature couples. Sign up for Christian Mingle today and see what this new age of modern Biblical dating is all about.

offspring by means of courtship, it was more of an evaluation of bloodline, reputation in the church, and monetary status. Dowries were often utilized in formality, and many of the first introductions and subsequent meetings were supervised. As communities eagerly watched to see if the couple was compatible, there was usually no personal say in the matter for the man or woman — just a submission to the families’ wishes.