Do
any of us remember the days when a single couple
was not permitted to spend time without a
chaperone? Do we know of "arranged
marriages", the ones where the bride and
groom met at the alter at the time of their
wedding? I certainly don't! I can't speak for
other countries but here in the USA a single
couple will spend some time "courting' or
"dating" before they (if they do) make
it to the marriage alter.
So, where does this put the "Christian
Couple Dating"?
In some very difficult and down right dangerous
positions.
Let's see what the scripture tells us concerning
"dating". Guess what! I did a search
and could find nothing. Trusting the Holy Spirit
this tells me 2 things, #1 dating wasn't
important to God or #2 dating is made up of a
combination of things.
|
FELLOWSHIP
| |
In light of that, what about
"fellowship"? After all, isn't that
what a single couple is doing when they date? I
can't think of a better way for a single couple
(or anyone) to get to know one another than
through fellowship in Christ. The following
scriptures help show us how we should spend time
together in fellowship as well as how we should
relate to each other.
Ephesians 5
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us,
and hath given himself for us an offering and a
sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody in
your heart to the Lord;
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh,
and of his bones.
Colossians 3
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in
all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another
in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 2
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being
knit together in love, and unto all riches of the
full assurance of understanding, to the
acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the
Father, and of Christ;
Romans 15
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant
you to be likeminded one toward another according
to Christ Jesus:
6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify
God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ
also received us to the glory of God.
Galatians 6
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye
which are spiritual, restore such an one in the
spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest
thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil
the law of Christ.
3 For if a man think himself to be something,
when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then
shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not
in another.
5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate
unto him that teacheth in all good things.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for
whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the
flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the
Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in
due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do
good unto all men, especially unto them who are
of the household of faith.
That doesn't seem too difficult or complicated.
Christian fellowship should be a fairly natural
act for any Christian no matter what age,
position, or situation.
|
|
SATAN COMES IN
| |
But is "dating" simple? What happens
when we throw in Satan attempting to bring
Christians down? What are some of the key things
Satan can use against single Christians? Lust? In
today's society we see and hear it everywhere,
music, movies, television, and videos. The cloths
people wear, the way the conduct themselves.
Satan is having a hey day and most likely it will
only continue to get worse.
The bible is very specific when it comes to
fleshly things, lust, and fornication. All tools
of Satan which we, as Christians should stay
clear of. I am aware the following is a rather
lengthy list of scriptures but I ask you to
please open your heart, let the Holy Spirit in
you and read them all.
Galatians 5
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye
shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and
the Spirit against the flesh: and these are
contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot
do the things that ye would.
Ephesians 4
22 That ye put off concerning the former
conversation the old man, which is corrupt
according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after
God is created in righteousness and true
holiness.
27 Neither give place to the devil.
1 Corinthians 6
15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members
of Christ? shall I then take the members of
Christ, and make them the members of an harlot?
God forbid.
16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to
an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall
be one flesh.
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one
spirit.
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth
is without the body; but he that committeth
fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple
of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have
of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore
glorify God in your body, and in your spirit,
which are God's.
Romans 8
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be
spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:
for it is not subject to the law of God, neither
indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot
please God.
Galatians 6
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the
flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the
Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Proverbs 14
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,
but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Philippians 2
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in
Christ Jesus:
Colossians 3
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly
things.
1 Peter 2
11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and
strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful
desires, which war against your soul.
Romans 12
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye
may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God.
1 John 2
15 Love not the world, neither the things that
are in the world. If any man love the world, the
love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the
flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust
thereof: but he that doeth the will of God
abideth for ever.
All of these scriptures make it perfectly clear
what God thinks of Satan's tools and where we
should stand with them. They don't belong in a
Christian's life and so also do not belong on a
Christian date.
|
|
THE BENIFITS
| |
Oh but the joys we'll reap when we follow the
Lord's teachings
and fight off Satan's temptations.
1 John 4
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is
of God; and every one that loveth is born of God,
and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is
love.
1 John 4
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but
that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the
propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to
love one another.
12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love
one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is
perfected in us.
John 14
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth
them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth
me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love
him, and will manifest myself to him.
John 15
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved
you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in
my love; even as I have kept my Father's
commandments, and abide in his love.
Romans 8
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor
life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers,
nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,
shall be able to separate us from the love of
God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
|
|
TIPS & TRICKS
| |
OK,
now we know what the bible tells us. This should
help all Christian singles dating. But how about
some "Tips & Tricks" of dating to
help beat Satan? The following is a list of ideas
and recommendations to help when dating.
1) God should always be first in our lives. He
should be the center of our individual lives and
also the center of our "dates".
2) Each should have a respected brother or sister
in Christ that we will be accountable to. Tell
that person you are dating and ask them to
question you after your dates. "Did you
conduct yourself in a Christian manner?" You
don't have to share every detail of your date but
knowing that you are going to be asked can be a
great help in keeping yourself in line on the
date.
3) Pray - what better way to both start and end a
date than with prayer? An example might be: Start
of date: Dear Heavenly Father we ask that you
please bless our time together, let us enjoy
fellowship in your love and help us keep our
thoughts and actions pure and glorious to You. In
Jesus' name we pray, amen. End Date: Dear Father
thank you for this time together and time with
You. Thank you for keeping us strong against
Satan's temptations. Thank you for blessing us
with the fellowship of other Christians. Please
keep us safe as we go our separate ways and help
us continue to be shining examples of your love.
In Jesus name we pray, amen.
4) I think this one is really sweet and fun too.
My "future date" is getting
"WWJD" (What Would Jesus Do) bracelets
for each of us - we'll wear them on our date and
will act as reminders to ourselves and each other
that He is watching us and with us.
5) Limit "private time" public places
are far safer in keeping Satan at a distance.
Church activities are always a great
"date". Putting some extra thought into
a date can make it even more special - walks in a
public park, concerts at local schools or
colleges, museums, art exhibits. Choice things
you both enjoy but mix it up from time to time
with something new that one or both of you would
like to try. With good conversation you'll not
only learn abut the other person but you can
figure out what to do your next date (if it's
God's will there is another).
6) At all times be honest! With God, yourself,
and your date!
Do you have a suggestion or idea that might help
other Christians Dating?
Please feel free to email them to me EMAIL
|
|
you may also be interested in:
LIVING FOR THE LORD
SINGLE
and/or
WHAT IS LOVE
|
