Post by Emmanuel A. O. on Mar 2, 2013 23:15:41 GMT 1
INTRODUCTION:
The system today's young men and women have inherited for finding and marrying a future spouse leaves a lot to be desired. We often hear complaints from readers about the confusion, hurt and sexual sin they've encountered despite their best intentions. Many want to know how they can go about getting to know someone and eventually get married without compromising their faith.
People attempting to follow a courtship model within today's culture, however, often run into a lot of practical questions, such as, "What if her dad is unavailable or uninterested in being involved?" or "What do you do when you live hundreds of miles from your family?"
By the end of this study It's my hope that this Godly Advice for Dating Relationships will be valuable both for those who think the Bible gives sufficient guidance for operating within our current system as well as for those who do not.
Godly Advice for Dating Relationships
Not all people in ancient times date before marriage. Marriages were usually contracted by the fathers of the parties involved or representatives of the fathers.
Though we have some who date before marriage, people like Joseph and Mary [Mother of Jesus] (Luke 1:26-56; 2:1-7). But they had no sex before they got married.
Biblically, people who date should not have sex until they marry. While it is normal and natural to be attracted to someone of the opposite sex, we are called by God to keep those urges under control until we commit to someone in marriage.
The New Testament clearly teaches that sex outside of marriage is sinful (1 Corinthians 6:9-11,18-20; Hebrews 13:4). Dating, then, for Christians, is not about sex. Since that is true, Christians who date will want to choose activities in public places where conversations and healthy activities can be carried on without becoming involved in too much intimacy. Keep the lust in check and the touching to a minimum (Matthew 5:27-29). Going out in groups is a good thing to consider. Since dating may eventually lead to marriage, we probably should not begin dating too early or date one person too long, unless we are ready to commit to a lifetime relationship.
To be continued...
The system today's young men and women have inherited for finding and marrying a future spouse leaves a lot to be desired. We often hear complaints from readers about the confusion, hurt and sexual sin they've encountered despite their best intentions. Many want to know how they can go about getting to know someone and eventually get married without compromising their faith.
People attempting to follow a courtship model within today's culture, however, often run into a lot of practical questions, such as, "What if her dad is unavailable or uninterested in being involved?" or "What do you do when you live hundreds of miles from your family?"
By the end of this study It's my hope that this Godly Advice for Dating Relationships will be valuable both for those who think the Bible gives sufficient guidance for operating within our current system as well as for those who do not.
Godly Advice for Dating Relationships
Not all people in ancient times date before marriage. Marriages were usually contracted by the fathers of the parties involved or representatives of the fathers.
Though we have some who date before marriage, people like Joseph and Mary [Mother of Jesus] (Luke 1:26-56; 2:1-7). But they had no sex before they got married.
Biblically, people who date should not have sex until they marry. While it is normal and natural to be attracted to someone of the opposite sex, we are called by God to keep those urges under control until we commit to someone in marriage.
The New Testament clearly teaches that sex outside of marriage is sinful (1 Corinthians 6:9-11,18-20; Hebrews 13:4). Dating, then, for Christians, is not about sex. Since that is true, Christians who date will want to choose activities in public places where conversations and healthy activities can be carried on without becoming involved in too much intimacy. Keep the lust in check and the touching to a minimum (Matthew 5:27-29). Going out in groups is a good thing to consider. Since dating may eventually lead to marriage, we probably should not begin dating too early or date one person too long, unless we are ready to commit to a lifetime relationship.
To be continued...