It’s important to note first that dating is a very new practice in the history of humanity. In biblical times there was no “dating” and as a result there is no passage that instructs specifically how Christians should handle dating. But what we do know is this… the Bible does share a lot of truth about God’s dream for our lives, how to live in a modern culture where trends don’t always reflect God, and how to live a life that is in alignment with God’s dream.
Here’s what we do know:
1) Your primary focus should be on your relationship with God, dating (like many other things in life) can distract you from that. When you enter a dating relationship sometimes your affections for the other person can exceed your affections for Christ. Matthew 6:33, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” No matter what stage of life, your relationship with Jesus needs to be the number one priority.
2) Relationships can bring a strong temptation to sin. Teenage dating is like playing with fire if it lacks maturity and no long-term commitment. Building intimacy and closeness within a dating relationship when we don’t prioritize our relationship with Jesus first, don’t have any long-term goals to be with the person, and when we are still figuring out who we are can then be dangerous. 1 Corinthians 6:18 says, “Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.”
Here are some questions to ask yourself when it comes to dating:
1. Is Jesus first in my life?
2. Am I looking for a long-term commitment or just want someone to hang out with?
3. What do i think about the physical aspects of a relationship? What are my boundaries to keep myself from drawing outside the lines of what God has said about physical intimacy?
4. What do my parents and other adults think about me dating?