Modesty Minute: Yes, the Bible Says You Can Date If…

…you behave yourself.

Seriously.

Now some churches prohibit dating altogether.  It is probably because of this scripture,

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me:  It is good for a man not to touch a woman. ~1 Corinthians 7:1 KJV

However, this was only the beginning of what the Apostle Paul was teaching.  Dating is allowed, but under specific guidelines.

The topic of proper, Christian dating is explained to us according to Christ’s doctrine as shown in 1 Corinthians chapter 7.1Added specific chapter. If a man is with his virgin and finds himself behaving inappropriately, he should marry her. However, she must be passed the flower of her age. This means that she should be done blooming before he ever thinks about desiring to sleep with her. In other words, her body is fully developed and probably not having a young girl mindset. This young woman can be married and consecrated to the man.

[36] But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. [37] Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. [38] So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better. ~1 Corinthians 7:36-38 KJV

Nevertheless, according to Christian dating, the Bible also tells us that if that man is firm in his heart to allow her to remain a virgin and has power over his own will, it is far better to keep her as a virgin. This means a young man can have a virgin who is his girlfriend.

[36] But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. [37] Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. [38] So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better. ~1 Corinthians 7:36-38 KJV

So yes, innocent, Christian dating is fine if you remain God-fearing and understand that you have the choice to stay a virgin together with your boyfriend under God. Furthermore, if that is the case between you, living together is also not a sin. It only becomes a sin if you start fornicating3Having unmarried sexual relations. or committing other unclean lusts.

Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. ~1 Corinthians 7:2 KJV

I say therefore to the umarried and widows, “It is good for them if they abide even as I.  But if they cannot contain, let them marry:  for it is better to marry than to burn.4Certain translations say ‘burn with passion,’ but Paul may be talking about burning in hell.  ” ~1 Corinthians 7:8-9 KJV

Christian dating is perfectly fine. However, if you cannot refrain from lusts and desiring to have relations 5 sex , marry to become husband and wife in the Lord.  Do not fornicate before marriage. Never commit unclean lusts. Ultimately, this is the recommendation for all of us and especially those who cannot remain single.  Paul says that it is better to remain single in the context of serving the Lord with your life. This has nothing to do with the Catholic church and vows of chastity, Paul was making the point that a single Christian life is easier.

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