SHOULD CHRISTIAN TEENS DATE? WHAT DOES GOD SAY??


Teens are asking, Is it OK to date? I’m in high school and I really like a guy and I think he likes me, but I want to do what God wants me todo… so, what should Ido? Good question! First of all… the Bible does not say “don’t date.” It would really help clearthings up if it did, but it doesn’t. So, then if you want to do what God wants you to do, how do we find out? Well, first I would ask you why you want to “go out with” or date someone… what are you hoping to have happen in a dating relationship that could not happen in a really good friendship. Two of the biggest things that can distinguish friendships from dating relationships are the exclusive commitment that dating couples make to each other and the intimate physical activity. Each of these things are addressed by Scripture. First, let’s look at the exclusive commitment.The Bible only talks aboutone type of committed exclusive relationship that takes place between a guy and a girl, and that is marriage. It makes no provisions for any other type of relationship. In fact, in I Corinthians 7, Paul talks about the difference between being married and being single and offers no in between. He encourages those who are single to enjoy their singleness because it offers them alife free of distractions and divided attentions, which is what folks who are married have as they serve both their spouse and God. This is the main problem. Dating couples act like they’re married, they get the diversion of attention that comes with being married, but they’re not married! The Bible tells us that we need to love God first and that He should get the first fruits of our attention and dating can step in and cause all sorts of distractions and make that a lot harder to do! The second reason folks often date (although they rarely admit it!) is for the physical intimacy. The Bible actually does address this specifically and it’s actually pretty easy to address… ALL physical intimate activity that could happen between a man and a woman is meant for marriage and marriage only. It was designed for marriage and marriage is the only place it actually works. Our society has made sucha big deal out of sex and has promoted such a casual attitude towards it that it would be easy to fall into the mindset that it is ok to experiment and fool around with sexuality outside of marriage. The truth is that God’s standard is that physical intimacy is only for marriage and marriage only. Period! Also, it’s important to understand that the exclusive stuff that surrounds dating can lead to the physical activity. Simply put, if a dating couple starts to emotionally act like they’re married (the exclusive commitment), then they will most likely start to physically act like they’re married. Which, according to theBible, is not cool! So, to respond to your question… The Bible does not clearlysay “don’t date,” but it does talk about not doing some of the unhealthy things that often go along withdating. Also, for what’sit worth, I have been a youth pastor for over 15 years and have never seen anything good, w o r t h w h i l e  or permanent come from any dating relationship that any of my students have ever had. Instead, I would suggest just holding off on dating in high school and just enjoy being friends. True friendship is a bit of a lost art but can bring so many awesome things into our lives. Don’t worry about dating in high school, just be friends!!  >>END ARTICLE<<

i would like to say that i believe with all my heart that God has the perfect man or woman of God picked out for each of us. The one He has chosen for us to become one flesh with and do the greatest work possible for Him. If we are patient and wait on Him, he will send them in His time. Remember that marriage is for this life only and until death do us part. Marriage is to glorify God. School has enough pressure of its own to make it more complicated with emotions we are just not ready for, and situations we are not mature enough to handle.. Stay friends and have fun..


JESUS IS LORD OF ALL