6 More Christian Dating Do’s and Don’ts

Dating is difficult at any age. Trying to measure up to someone else’s expectations can be exhausting. As believers we can get frustrated after praying and seeking for a mate—only to come up disappointed date after date. In order to have the most successful dating experience, you must begin with prayer and a sincere heart. Take the time to really reflect on your heart motive for desiring a date. It is alright to desire companionship—as the Lord can bless you with the desires of your heart as you please Him. Check out the 6 more Christian dating do’s and don’ts to help you along the way. If you missed the original article you can check it out here: 6 Christian Dating Do's and Don'ts.

Do treat your date with respect and honesty.

“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17).

It’s important in the dating experience to treat the other person as you want to be treated. Perhaps one hour into the date you realize that you may not have a good match. That’s not the time to exit as quickly as possible. But rather be respectful and honest about your feelings in a way that would bring honor to God.

Don’t use Hollywood as your standard of measure in dating.

“They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them” (1 John 4:5).

Hollywood movies and TV shows move very quickly from the first moment of attraction to sexual immorality. It also sets unrealistic expectations on both people to be almost perfect in their appearances and lifestyles. The standard of measure is from the Bible which teaches that believers should treat each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Do make an effort to be genuinely interested in your date.

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45).

The most selfish way to go about dating is to make it all about you and not anyone else. If the entire conversation and focus is on one person—than the other is left out and there’s not much to grow on from there. Be prayerful and alert to the Holy Spirit speaking to you about what you can learn about your date through what he or she shares about themselves.

Don’t lay everything out on the table.

“Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips” (Ecclesiastes 10:12).

While you want so share about yourself, you don’t want to give your date everything about your past and present life. Leave something for your date to discover. Your past dating experiences don’t need to be regurgitated especially if it was negative. Keep your conversation lively and interesting without telling everything there is to know about you.

Do make your best appearance both inwardly and outwardly.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1).

There’s a saying “you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression”. Many people try too hard to impress their dates with overpowering cologne/perfume or by wearing suggestive clothing. Dress appropriately and fitting for a child of God on a date so that you can have the best time without worrying about your appearance.

Don’t try too hard.

“In you, Lord my God, I put my trust” (Psalm 25:1).

It’s tempting on a first date to try to really make a good impression. However, it’s best to be yourself as best you can without being nervous. Trust in the Lord that He will lead the right and best person as a companion for you. When you completely trust in the Lord, you will have a calm presence about your demeanor.

Does God approve of your dating?

Dating is much more enjoyable with a pure conscience and a clean heart. When you make the effort to spend more time with God in prayer, Bible study, and reflection, you will be more at ease with your dating experiences. There will be times when a date doesn’t go well and that’s okay—ask yourself “what is God showing me about this experience?” When the Lord is the focus of your dating relationships, you are content and at peace no matter the outcome.

Article by Crystal McDowell

Crystal McDowell is a writer, speaker, and teacher with a passion to encourage believers to know and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through practical application of God’s word.  

Crystal and her husband, Marshall, raise their five children in the Bloomington, IL. As a freelance writer and editor for over 13 years, Crystal has published numerous Christian curriculums for Sunday School and VBS as well as many articles dealing with marriage, motherhood, and relationships. She’s a weekly staff writer for www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com as well as writing her own blog at https://crystalmcdowellspeaks.blogspot.com.