The Bible has a lot to say about relationships, and it's important to understand what it teaches us when it comes to dating. Whether you're single, dating, or married, God has a plan for you and your future partner. Being able to lean on Christ throughout your relationship during times of stress, disagreement or distance can be an important source of strength, no matter how long you've been with your partner. The Bible encourages us to abhor what is bad and hold on to what is good, and to love one another with brotherly affection.
It also tells us to surpass one another in the show of honor. If faith is an important part of your daily life, it stands to reason that faith is also an important part of any romantic relationship you have. Reflecting on Bible verses about relationships can be as beneficial as studying Bible verses about pain during times of loss or Bible verses about anxiety during times of stress. Ultimately, the purpose of dating should be what God considers.
For some, He will call for a station where two people go out hoping or intending to get married, but it could result in a lesson to learn or in a friendship. It's vital to recognize this, as many will fall into the trap of believing that the person you're dating should and can only be your spouse. The goal and hope, of course, will be marriage, but not all relationships are destined to result in marriage. Some relationships are meant to promote a character, teach a lesson, or last for a season.
The ultimate hope and intention of a dating relationship should be marriage. Marriage is the second most important relationship one will ever have, the most important one being with the Lord. With this weight given to such intention, the forerunner of dating must be given considerable consideration, care and respect. Much of the questioning comes from modern forms of dating compared to the contextual traditions of biblical times.
Marriage and the union of souls for the Kingdom are very important to the Lord, which is why many marriages are mentioned in the Bible. All quotes from the Scriptures, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, the standard version in English. Although some biblical testimonies about marriage are culturally different from the current ones, the Bible is relevant in providing fundamental pieces of truth for a godly marriage.
