Looking at the name of this forum, my question is quite simple, I can completely understand why I should choose to have a Christian partner as my wife however, what is the actual harm in dating a Non-Christian? I'm trying to list down advantages/disadvantages of dating a non believer:
Advantages:
1. You get to learn about the opposite sex. I mean apart from the faith aspect, both Christian and Non-Christian ladies would like their guys to be courteous and polite. So similarly, there are quite a few other factors which a guy could also learn by dating a non-believer.
2. You get to learn more and more about your own self. Now for example, you have your likes, dislikes and interests and you usually look at compatibility in those areas. However, when you date someone, you'll get to know about things that you wouldn't like, things that you think you can do with and finally things that you'd love in a relationship. Most importantly, there are certain aspects about you that would need trimming or changing and by dating someone, it could eventually make you a better individual overall.
3. Last but definitely not the least, you could be a testimony to the non-believing partner. Your partner and their family could look at your life, could hear your words and could be in your prayers all the time resulting in people coming to know God.
All in all, I have an opinion that you could always date a non-Christian and it could definitely help you in being a person of integrity. Now here's what I think are the disadvantages:
1. If you fall in love with a non-believer, it could seriously hamper your walk with God. Why? Because now, your priority could shift from God to this person. Which also reminds me, if dating a non-believer means that you should forfeit your time with God (it could be your personal prayer time, the time you spend for bible studies, the time you've allocated for church activites, etc.) then it is a matter of deep concern. So if you think that your time/walk with God is being interfered with, then you'd rather not date a non-believer.
2. Sometimes and I seriously mean Sometimes, it is possible that the sense of morality of a non-believer might not quite be like that of a believer. But then to be honest, I've personally seen quite a few non-believers not being so hell-bent in being sexually active as much as some believers. Now in this case, if lust takes over you, you could fall into a pit so deep that it would take a lot of effort to get out of it and then there's also the problem of guilt...
One last point but I feel it is applicable in both cases is, what if you get married but as time has passed, things are not the same anymore. There are arguments, constant quarreling, suspicion, infidelity and even worse, neither you nor your spouse could not really teach the importance of Christian values to your kids... But hey, this could happen with both, a believer or a non-believer.
To conclude this lengthy post, the best thing to do is always pray and seek guidance from Jesus. We are so blessed to have a comforter and a counselor so great and so loving. But at the same time, I don't think that God wants me to close my mind off from dating a non-believer at all.
What do you think? Should a Christian only and only date a believer? Do you think the negatives outweigh the positives when it comes to dating a non-believer?
I mean online, I can give a load of nonsense about how strong my faith is, how I'm always active in church and blah blah.... But how can you tell if I'm lying or not? I certainly feel it's a tad impolite to not respond at all. However, to each their own maybe.
It would be really nice if girls could specify what kind of a person are they looking for AND what can they add to the relationship!
Very good read. Quite often, we just don't realize the effect our words and thoughts have on people. It's easy to label someone as something. But it is way too difficult to sit with him/her, understand what that person has gone through or maybe what is that person's way of thought. In my opinion, if we open our own minds towards the need of the other, it will not only help us strengthen and encourage them, I think it would encourage us in our faith too.
Also, despite not really liking the way that kicking the butt comment was worded, do you not think that, there is a reason why we are let to backslide? So that we could see the greatness of His glory?
