Dating is a ubiquitous part of modern society, but when seen through the lens of the Bible, it takes on deeper dimensions. The Bible, though not explicitly touching on modern dating, provides a robust framework for relationships, while anchoring them in love, respect, and shared faith. Dating can be a pathway to find a life partner, an opportunity to align oneself more closely with God’s blueprint for love and unity.
What the Bible Says About Love in Dating
The Bible often speaks about love, laying a strong foundation for any dating relationship. Love is to be genuine, patient, kind, and selfless. It is devoid of jealousy, rudeness, selfishness, or quick-temperedness. It is not about seeking one’s interest but cherishing and honoring the other. Dating from this perspective becomes an avenue to cultivate such love, a love that reflects God’s love towards humanity.
Why Purity is Emphasized in Biblical Dating
The Bible underscores the element of purity in dating. Purity, in this context, isn’t merely physical but also extends to thoughts, words, and intentions. Dating should avoid any form of deceit, manipulation, or exploitation. The aim is to nurture a transparent relationship that breeds trust, not just between the individuals involved but also in their relationship with God. A shared commitment to purity serves as a bonding factor, enhancing the depth of the relationship.
How the Bible Guides in Choosing a Partner
The Bible offers guiding principles in selecting a dating partner. It encourages believers to be evenly yoked with their partners, implying a shared faith and values system. The emphasis on mutual faith aids in minimizing conflicts and fostering unity in the relationship. It also helps in supporting each other’s spiritual growth and journey. Compatibility in faith forms the bedrock in the Bible’s approach towards dating.
Where Holiness Comes into Play
Holiness is a recurrent theme in the Bible, and it has a significant place in Biblical dating. Relationships are to reflect God’s disposition and thus must be set apart, exuding honor and respect. Dating then becomes a platform to uphold such holiness before God and each other. The act of dating, according to the Bible, goes beyond mere companionship to become a covenant relationship, mirroring God’s commitment towards His people.
When to Turn to the Bible for Guidance
Turning to the Bible for guidance during dating is beneficial at all stages. In times of uncertainty, comfort, or seeking godly wisdom, it serves as a constant counselor. The scriptures, replete with wisdom, offer hope and guidance to traverse various stages of dating. They remind believers of the sanctity of love and the importance of patience, understanding, and forgiveness in building a strong relationship. Consequently, incorporating the Bible’s principles within dating practices can result in healthier, more fulfilling relationships that mirror God’s design for love and companionship.
Below is our full list of bible verses on dating (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Dating
2 Timothy 2:22
“22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
1 Corinthians 15:33
“33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
Related Themes: Friendship Morals Reputation Morality
2 Corinthians 6:14
“14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
Genesis 2:18
“18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”
Related Themes: Loneliness Marriage Fidelity
1 Corinthians 6:18
“18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.”
Genesis 2:24
“24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
Related Themes: Marriage Respecting Your Parents Fidelity Family
2 Corinthians 6:14-15
“14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?”
Song of Solomon 2:7
“7 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.”
Hebrews 13:4
“4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
Proverbs 4:23
“23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Related Themes: Lust Creativity Heart Life
Proverbs 18:22
“22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
“3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:”
Proverbs 31:30
“30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”
Related Themes: Vanity Beauty Modesty Self-Esteem
Romans 12:9-10
“9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”
Related Themes: Love Serving Others Leadership Love
Proverbs 19:14
“14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.”
Matthew 19:5
“5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?”
1 Peter 4:8
“8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”
Related Themes: Love Criticism Marriage Friendship
Amos 3:3
“3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
Related Themes: Criticism Friendship Agreement Engagement
1 Peter 3:7
“7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”
Related Themes: Marriage Respecting Your Parents Benevolence Respect
1 Corinthians 10:31
“31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Related Themes: Pride Food Health Technology
Ephesians 5:33
“33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Marriage Love Adultery
1 Timothy 5:1-2
“1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Impurity Old Age
Ephesians 5:25
“25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”
1 Corinthians 6:13
“13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.”
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
“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.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
Related Themes: Hope New Beginnings Patience Frustration Life
Proverbs 31:10
“10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”
James 1:5
“5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
Related Themes: Wisdom Education Discernment Doubt
Matthew 6:33
“33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
