The Bible doesn't directly address modern dating, but it speaks deeply to relationships, purity, and finding a godly spouse. These verses guide the Christian navigating dating with wisdom and faith.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?”
Don't date outside the faith.
“Flee fornication... ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price.”
Sexual purity matters.
“Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.”
A spouse is God's gift.
“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”
Look for character.
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
God's design for marriage.
Date with marriage in view. Don't date outside the faith. Pursue purity. Look at character before charm. Involve community. Pray. Be patient.
Don't be unequally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14), pursue purity (1 Corinthians 6:18-20), look at character (Proverbs 31:30), date with marriage in view (Proverbs 18:22).
2 Corinthians 6:14 — 'Be ye not unequally yoked.' Most Christian traditions apply this to dating leading to marriage. Most pastors strongly counsel against it.
(1) Date with marriage in view. (2) Date other Christians. (3) Pursue purity. (4) Involve community. (5) Pray together. (6) Look at character. (7) Trust God's timing.