Christian Dating Rules

When we begin dating it can be a very exciting time of our lives. Dating gives us a chance to find the person that we want to spend the rest of our lives with. As Christians there are certain rules we must follow when dating – which we shall look at in today’s guide.

What does the Bible say about Christian Dating?

The Bible is very vague in regards to dating, however one thing is clear and that is that you should not have sexual intercourse before marriage. One passage which mentions this is where Apostle Paul wrote in Corinthians 6:19-20: “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

It can be hard to resist temptation when you are dating – particularly when you are physically attracted to someone. It is important to learn the difference between love and lust. Sex should be reserved for someone that you are in love with and want to spend the rest of your life with.

Different branches of Christianity have different rules on dating. Some are totally against dating of any kind whereas others are much more relaxed. In modern society rules have been somewhat relaxed in regards to Christian dating and a large majority of Christians understand the necessity and benefits of dating before marriage.

This passage from Corinthians 13:4-7 is very relevant to Christian dating: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

It details what values you and your potential partner should have – patient, kindness, no envy etc. If you find that you do not share these values then your relationship may not be strong enough in the eyes of God.

Can Christians Date People from outside of their Faith?

Most Christians believe that you should not date anyone from outside of the Christian faith. There is nothing wrong with meeting up with a person you are interested in a few times to get to know them, but if you find out that your faiths differ or that any potential relationship won’t be God-centered then you be polite but move on.

The Bible is very clear on this issue, this passage is the most relevant: Deuteronomy 7:3 “Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons.”

The Bible is also clear that you shouldn’t take part in “missionary dating” – this is where you have an emotional relationship with a person in the hope you can convert them before marriage.

However the Bible says nothing about dating Christians from other races or colors and there is little debate that this is perfectly fine in the eyes of God.

Where can you find other Single Christians?

There are lots of places that you can find other single Christians for dating. A large number of Christians find their partners through Church or their local Christian community. Blind dating can also be much more successful than you think – your friends often know you best and can set you up with someone they think you are best suited to.

Recently Christians are increasingly starting to do online dating – where you can connect with other single Christians from your local area and around the world. There are numerous Christian-specific dating websites – both free ones and pay sites.

Simple Christian Dating Tips for Beginners

When you meet someone that you want to date it can be incredibly nerve-wracking as you want to impress them as much as you can. The first thing to remember is to be yourself – there’s no point telling lies or pretending to be someone you’re not as that is not an attractive trait and most people can see straight through it!

Simple dating tips include dressing nicely and being polite and courteous. Be respectful of the person you are taking on a date and use your best manners at all times.

Don’t preach when you are dating. While it is fine to discuss your beliefs with your date you shouldn’t use this time to try and convert them.