Scripture Rules

And yet, despite the potential for pain, we keep putting our hearts on the line. The tenacious hope that keeps us picking up the pieces of broken hearts and dashed dreams is deeply connected to an intrinsic longing within every soul: the desire to be loved. We want a special love. An unconditional love.

Longing for Love That Lasts: 3 Core Principles of Godly Dating

Is there a better way? Is it possible to find lasting love in a culture clueless on how to love well? To contrast the two: what does the world say is the purpose of dating? Honestly, often there is no objective purpose.

Instead, dating is driven by subjective feelings. We date for fun. We date because someone is funny or attractive and we enjoy how they make us feel. To dating the loneliness of singleness and to experience the intensity of infatuation. Marriage is a foggy hope in the distance rather than an intentional goal in the present. On the other hand, godly dating is fueled by intentional purpose. Instead of fun, feelings, or a causal relationship, the main goal click here godly dating can be condensed into four words: to find a spouse.

We need to learn how to date better. Not for the purpose of dating better, but for the purpose of building stronger, dating site, more God-glorifying marriages. The main intention of godly dating is to find a spouse. But that main intention leads to dating intention. Dating for us, we have an outline of godly character in biblical love in 1 Corinthians Flip a few pages to Galatians godly and you find an outline of the fruit of the Spirit.

Are they growing in these characteristics? Is the Spirit of God evident in their lives? These qualities of biblical character and love are essential in a godly marriage— so why would we compromise on them in dating? If our goal is Christ-focused, God-glorifying marriage, that begins with two Christ-focused, God-glorifying singles.

Philippians 2 drops a bombshell of truth that godly radically transform the way godly view dating. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others.

We look out for our wants, needs, and emotions first and foremost. The other person is placed second; their wants and needs are godly after our own are met. Godly dating inverts this pyramid. God is placed as the top and first priority. With the priority of God firmly at the top, the other person is placed second. Every man or woman we know is highly loved and valued by the God who created them.

How we treat them in our dating relationships matters not only to them, but to the God who loves them deeply. Dating can be a good thing. Dating can be a godly thing if we date with Christ-focused intention.

But those things never truly satisfy, do they? That deep need we all have for love? Attempting to fill the God-sized hole in dating souls with relationships or sex only carves out a deeper emptiness. Godly dating looks to Jesus— no one else— to satisfy our hearts because we know that He dating the only One who can.

God gave us the good gift of romantic relationships. May we never make the gift bigger in our lives than the Giver. Instead, may every gift God bestows point us back to Himself—the Giver of all good gifts. Every marriage begins with passion, purpose, and pursuit, but few stay that way.

Couples are encouraged take the challenge together. Are you up for the challenge? Click to see more Barratt is an author, speaker, and managing editor for theRebelution. Connect with her at SaraBarratt. View all articles godly Sara Barratt. Have you heard of the The Day Pursuit Challenge? The Freedom in Finding Unity Priorities, 3 of 4. Priorities, Practically Speaking Priorities, 4 of 4.

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