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Dating 101
Did you know the Bible has many tips for dating? Here are a few examples to consider following when pursuing the one you might marry.
You could find a spouse by going to a party, grabbing a woman, and carrying her off to be your wife. This was the Benjamites' plan for marriage (Don't believe me? Read
Maybe some of you could become the ruler of a huge nation and have a beauty contest. This is exactly what Xerxes did to win the heart of Esther (Well, kind of: see
Finally, you could ask your parents to help you. The next time you see someone you think is hot, go home and tell your parents, "I've seen a woman I like. Now get her for me." This might have been Samson's first mistake (He did it in
Dating is a big topic. Let's scratch the surface together. As you consider dating--or you might already be in a steady relationship with Mr. Hot or Mrs. Righteous--consider the goal of dating. Why do you date? The Bible has a good answer for us. Paul, the guy who wrote the two letters to the Corinthians said we should all shoot for love. The world twists love to be lust, so Paul gives us a set of characteristics to follow as written to the church in Corinth (
Think with me on real biblical love. Love is patient, even when things are hard. I'm very patient when things are going my way, aren't you? However, when they are tough with the person you are dating, that's the real test of patience. Don't be impatient. Don't rush ahead in your relationship. I know, "He's soooooo good looking," and, "She's so righteous." Use your brain more than your heart. It'll save you pain and bring health later to your relationship.
Love is kind when faced with unkindness. It's so easy to hurt the person you are dating and so easy to forget to do those little kind deeds. Love chooses to be kind regardless of the response because love is committed to giving, not receiving. The person you love might be hard to get along with at times, but love chooses to serve no matter what.
Love is never jealous or vain. You shouldn't worry about whom he's hanging out with when he's not around you. If there are issues of jealously, you're not expressing love. Talk about it. Clear it up. Real love isn't jealous.
Love gives away all the time. It might feel more natural to be selfish and hold on. It's a challenge you'll face throughout your life. Suppose you've finally finished your English paper and you're ready to relax. You look over and see that your loved one is still struggling to understand her assignment. Do you offer to help or pretend you didn't notice? Love gets up and gives a little more.
Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love chooses to forgive and forget. Has the person you are dating wronged you? Chances are good that you've been hurt already. Don't let this slow you down from trusting and loving one another. Do all you can to move into the future with freedom. This is love.
Love takes joy in being fully truthful because the truth sets you free according to the Bible. Don't hide anything from the one you love. If you get married, you will openly share. Be tactful, careful, wise and wait for the right timing. Living in truth gives you peace of heart with God and one another.
Love believes, trusts, hopes and presses on. If no one else believes in you, make sure you believe in the one you love. Love never fails.
You can be sure there will be stretching times when your faith in God and your love will be tested with the one you date. You'll be at the end of your rope sometimes and wonder how you can go further. You can! Love will keep you going. Love from God is your anchor in the storms of life. In those stretching times, may you find yourselves holding hands in love, and may you find this to be enough. Dating will find fun and fulfillment for the girl and the boy who chooses to love as modeled in 1 Corinthians.
