It doesn't matter how long some Christians date , It's just like at the end some get married and then they are shocked and amazed saying "I didn't know he/she is like this" !.
Well We just need to keep in mind that Before we get Marriages right , we must get the Dating right.
Now the Whole Purpose of Dating is about Discovering....The learning of what somebody really like.
So many Christians are buying to the idea of "a Soul Mate" , rather than really looking at the person character and evaluating what is the person like...who are they ?. They just keep looking for this magical connection called 'Soul Mate" which is a concept based on pagan teaching (Greek Mythology). We sometimes as Christians take some wrong concepts and spiritualize it saying that "God has one special person just for you."..The Bible never talked about a Soul Mate !.
That's why christian man or woman should choose his/her mate relying on God 's word which is represented in Bible and matching the Characterstics of a True Christian.
Let's put Five Essential things that must be kept in mind while Dating:
1) Faith : You shouldn't be dating or marrying someone who is unbeliever because the min you do that , you are connecting with someone who doesn't live by Christian Principles.
2) Watch their Reactions :You need to look at their reactions . It's easy to act or pretend but it's really hard to react in a certain way because when you react then you will find what you really made of.
3) Factor their Past:You need to factor in their Past. Yes things in past are forgiven and white as snow before God BUT There are still residual effects of that stuff.
For Example: Person just got saved and Yes everything became new in christ BUT you are not marrying his/her spirit only but you are marrying the package (The whole person) and They need to work that stuff out. Keep in mind that once someone get saved , it takes time to work that out. Some christian Women who marry Guys because they became Christians...they have no time to see and now they are in misery.
God didn't invent Marriage to make you Miserable...You just need time to discover your partner and This should be done in Dating Process.
4) Their Family:It's really amazing How many Christians get married and they are miserable because of his/her spouse's family , They can't stand to the family.
If you can't stand to his/her Family then Run and find someone else! .Don't expect that his/her Family won't be involved in your Life after Marriage because simply they are part of your spouse life !....Also The Family should be given Birth to another Family and You should be part of this Whole Deal.
5) Use a Good Counselor in your Love Life: I mean don't Trust your own Decisions. Idealy It can be Pastor , a Friend or Someone you can Really Trust , Someone you can ask for Counseling about your Love Life. Listening to your Heart only will get you into Trouble in these things because Heart can be deceiving especially because all Emotions are there.
Bible says "Desire Wisdom and Understanding."
Some Christians despise Wisdom and desire Miracle.
.....despise Advice and desire Divine Revelation.
We have got to Stop That and Start being SMARTER !.
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