Question
Do you know of any Bible verses pertaining to Christians dating non-Christians?
Answer
The Bible does not speak specifically of "dating" however, since
dating is a process in our culture that two people use to find out if they would
be compatible for marriage, and that the possibility of "falling in
love" always exists in dating, therefore I believe the Bible has a very
clear statement regarding dating:
"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and
wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
What harmony is there between Christ and Belial [Satan]? What does a believer
have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between
the temple of God and idols?" [2 Corinthians 6:14-16]
These verses are commonly applied to marriage, but actually apply to any
spiritual endeavor. Since marriage is one of the highest spiritual
relationships we can have here on earth between people, "being married in
Christ", then it would also fit dating. A man and woman was designed
and created by God to have a spiritual, physical, and emotional relationship.
A prime factor in the failure of marriages in our culture is the lack of
spiritual relationship between a husband and wife. The Word of God says,
"We love because he [Jesus] first loved us." [1 John 4:19]
In other words, a married couple's "real" capacity to love one
another, with a true and deep love comes only after they each have personally
experienced the love of God through Jesus, which comes with our salvation.
What the Bible is clearly saying is that believers cannot marry unbelievers,
therefore we are not to date an unbeliever, for one can easily find themselves
getting involved in a love relationship and then violating God's clear command
not to marry an unbeliever. Another verse that comes to mind that lets us
know God's command regarding marriage is, "A woman . . . is free to marry
anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord." [1 Corinthians
7:39] The context is speaking of a Christian woman whose husband dies, but
the principle is the same, when Christians marry, they must marry a believer.
When a Christian marries an unbeliever, then they will find that they have two
different directions in their lives, and as the Bible shows over and over in the
Old Testament, that the unbeliever will drag down the believer into sin and will
not promote a close walk with the Lord.
In addition, the Husband is to be the spiritual leader of the family, and how
can that be if he is an unbeliever. Likewise, the Bible tells us,
"Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why
one? Because he was seeking godly offspring." [Malachi 2:15] God
wants Christians marrying Christians because He wants godly children, children
brought up to honor and adore Him.
To defy God's clear commands of Scripture will only bring problems in marriage,
as many, many couples can attest to, who had married an unbeliever. Often
times, there is the temptation to marry an unbeliever because they "are so
nice, or handsome, or lovely" and that we will "lead them to
Christ" later. This is again defying God's commands and usually ends
up in misery and/or divorce.
Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "Tony Capoccia's Questions and
Answers" by:
Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
Box 119
Columbus, New Jersey, USA, 08022
Our websites: www.biblebb.com and www.gospelgems.com
Email: tony@biblebb.com
Online since 1986