5 Bible Verses to Guide You in Christian Dating

What does the Bible say about Christian dating? As I’ve mentioned many times before, the Bible doesn’t say anything directly about Christian dating. However, the Bible talks a lot about honoring God in every area of life.

Therefore, although the Bible does not talk about Christian dating directly, there are many Bible verses that should be directly applied to dating by Christians who want to honor God in their singleness and in their dating relationships.

In this article, I’m going to share 5 of the most important Bible verses to help guide you in dating. Again, there is no blueprint or direct law in the Bible on how Christian dating should look. But regardless of what dating approach you take, the Bible should guide that approach. These Bible verses are just a small sample of how the word of God should directly shape your season of Christian singleness and dating.

1 Corinthians 7:39 Is a Bible Verses that Should Guide You in Dating: Do Not Marry an Unbeliever

A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:39)

One of the most important truths in the Bible that should guide Christian dating is the command to not marry an unbeliever. The Bible is not overly restrictive on who you should marry. Marriage is not a command. It is a biblical option. Therefore it should be no surprise that God gives us lots of personal freedom in our decisions about who we marry.

However, one guiding law that should shape your dating approach is this command to not be unequally yoked, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

Ephesians 2:8-10 Are Bible Verses that Should Guide You in Christian Dating: Core Christian Doctrine on Salvation

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

This is such an important Bible passage to help you in Christian dating because it captures core truths to salvation. If the person you want to date cannot articulate the truths of being saved by grace and through faith, this is not a good sign.

You don’t need to have the exact same theology as the person you date or marry, however, if you want to marry a Christian you two will need to agree on core Christian truths. Ephesians 2:8-10 is a great place to start. If someone loves the gospel of grace, this is a good sign.

(Also see 1 Corinthians 15:2-4, 1 John 4:1-4)

2 Timothy 2:22 Is a Bible Verse to Guide You in Christian Dating: Pursue Relationships with Real Christian Bible

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)

This is a great Bible verse to guide you in Christian dating for three reasons. First off, it tells all Christians to leave youthful, evil desires behind you. Christian dating, therefore, should not be done like the world’s version of dating. It should be done in a mature and pure way.

Second, 2 Timothy 2:22 commands all of us to join with other Christians who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. By obeying this Bible verse in singleness you will be creating the type of environment that will most likely lead to meeting someone to marry. Most Christians meet their spouse through mutual friendships and by being part of the same Christian social circles.

Thirdly, this Bible verse gives us some traits to look for in a mature Christian: righteousness, faith, love, and peace. When you see these traits in an adult, they are most likely in a season of life where they are ready for marriage.

(Also see Galatians 5:22-26.)

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Will Help Guide You Away from Sexual Temptation in Christian Dating: Sexual Immorality Must Be Avoided

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)

While all the commands for righteous living should help guide you in Christian dating, Bible verses about overcoming sexual temptation will be especially helpful. Dating has an element of danger in it because it awakens desires in us that are only to be expressed in marriage. Dating that lasts too long without moving forward into marriage usually results in sexual sin.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 teaches us that no matter what your dating approach, being intentional about resisting sexual temptation is a must.

James 1:5 Is a Bible Verse to Help You in Christian Dating: Pursue Wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

There are so many more helpful Bible verses that can help guide you in singleness and Christian dating. If you want to honor God, you must obey his word at all times. Sometimes, however, it can be a challenge to know what is honoring to God in each specific situation. This is why we must always seek God’s wisdom.

Whenever you don’t know what to do, God has called you to call on him. James 1:5 is a bold promise that if we seek God for direction and wisdom, he will provide it. Confusion is not a matter of “if” in Christian dating but simply a matter of “when.” So when you are confused in the Christian dating process, seek God for wisdom and he will provide it:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8)