Good day all...I've just had a wonderful conversation with someone about dating a non-Christian.
Back Story : There are quite a few people on this site that I have met and talked with on the phone and even considered dating. I have chosen to walk the straight and narrow path and give my life to God. Its been 2 1/2 years since I got saved. I have since given up my secular life to live a great Christian life. My life is filled with joy and continued blessings of Grace and I have enjoyed maturing in my walk with God. No more baby steps, just making a decision to give everything I am and the glory to God. Amen.
On that note, some of the discussions I've had with woman on here blows my mind. Its seems that since we are on a Christian site that some of the people on here talk the talk for a few conversations and dive back into the secular world. I personally have chosen not to have sex or rather practice abstience (sp) before I am married. It is a decision I have made a while ago and I am sticking to it. I really am living for God's principles.
I am on this site looking for friends because I plan on moving in late 2011 and want to have a good base of friends for when I move to Portland. I'm on another site for a hobby of mine to meet some cool guys to hang out with as well, but I've always had a good base of gal friends, hence being on this site. Not sure where else I can meet like minded Christian individuals who are Christian people. I also love being a witness on here. There is a need everywhere to spread the Word of God.
I was having a conversation the other day with a gal and we were talking about dating. (good topic since we are all on this site). She stated that she would never date a non-Christian again. I currently am dating a non-Christian woman and shared this with her and she went through the roof.
When I had met this gal I was very up front with her and told her I was a man of God and that I live by those principles. I explained what that meant. I also explained how important it was to me, giving up the ways of the world and living for Christ has lifted my soul and my spirit, has made me new, I no longer worry about the petty things of the world but rather find joy in the small things, and grace in that God gives when times are not easy. You get the point. I also told this gal that I'm dating that I absolutely will not have sex until I am married, I'm looking for courtship (dating with the intent of marriage) and that when children come that they will be raised in a spiritual home.
Really all this information on the first date I thought she would be running for the hills. She didn't run and through her journey of dating men, she was looking for a strong man, that was full of love and patience and she is curious about God, talks about her curiousity in the walk and is moving forward on her own to learn about the joy and grace she sees through me.
There are quite a few people that I've talked to on here who clearly are searching for something. Maybe they are curious about God and that's why they are here. Maybe they are sick of the dating scene and the drama that brings in the secular world. I know I've been there and never want to be there again.
The Christian life and living for God is so sweet and when we trust in him all things are possible. The brother, the mother, the sister, the uncle, the grandfather. Whoever in your life doesn't have Christ and whoever it is that we are seeking guidance for daily and praying that they open their hearts for us to plant seeds and fill their hearts with the wonderful love of God, I just can't see how we can't be compassionate for those people.
I guess I always remember my grandmother and mother praying for me for years that something in my life would happen that I would call out to God. That something did happen and they had faith in God that I would get saved. They prayed for me for 12 years. 12 years can you imagine?!
Anyway my point is we are all in different stages of our Christianity and even those just circling the wagons because they are curious. We need to be there for them no matter what. Whatever pain is in their lives, be quick to listen and slow to speak. Sometimes its the smallest of actions that bring the biggest impact on people's lives.
I am curious if others have experienced this or what your take is on this topic.
I have been there and done that. Dated a non-Christian and won't be doing it again.
Planting seeds, witnessing, being there for those not as spiritually mature than ourselves? Absolutely. I wouldn't be where I am today, if someone hadn't taken out some time with me.
I will NOT be dating and marrying anyone though, who is strandling the fence, a baby "just got saved yesterday" Christian or someone who is obsessed with their particular "denomination. I mean no harm, but I have been through the wringer with ppl rollin like that.
My prayer is for someone who is established (of course any of us can fall), that sees their Christian walk a race to be endured til the end and not an optional lifestyle that can be left when things get too difficult.
Travis, I commend you for the stand you have chosen :applause::waving::waving: seriously wonderful.
Keep in mind however, that Satan heard you too! And his purpose in life is to destroy...with that in mind, dating any unsaved girl is you setting yourself up for a fall. Friends, yes, but datiing, nope. The only reason to date, is to find a mate afterall and we are not to be joined to the unsaved...and I realise you might not mean it to happen, but you are human (and male besides! :yay:,) so really, do you think someone can't make you fall for them? Scripture specifically tells us to beware when we THINK it won't happen to us~ (1 Cor 10:12) and callls it being 'unequally yoked)
It is only natural to think we can 'win someone" to Christ, but truly we just sow the seed as you know, the rest is out of our hands. God will bless you (He promises) if you do not compromise your stand.
Travis: I think you absolutely should be there for someone when and how you can. And you should witness always, in every way you can. That does not mean, however, you should be dating this girl. Befriend her, witness, answer questions, yes. You should do all those things. Date her? Nope. You asked for input -- that is my opinion. Babygirl had wise advice also.
BLUF: What fellowship is there between darkness and light?
The issue tends to be how strong your walk with God is. If the person you are aligning yourself with is not a believer, what is the basis of the relationship? What ends up happening in most cases as far as I know, is the believer gets drawn to the world.
If the person is not willing or ready to commit to the Lord, there is no amount of preaching I can do to convince/save them. I can only plant seeds.
1 Corinthians 7 addresses existing marriages to unbelievers. If the spouse is willing to stay in the marriage, the believer is to witness to the spouse through daily living and witness. I also see this passage as a warning not to marry unbelievers.
Hi! I think you pose a great question that should involve a lot of thought. I have read what the others have to say and I have been there, dating the non-believer.
Yes we are called to witness to and love the non-believer. But God was clear on our actions as to dating/marrying:
2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
I know there are more scripture to back this up but that is the one that came to mind. Also something my momma always said
"Dance with the devil..you don't change the devil...the devil changes you"
