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Summary
- The Bible never mentions dating, but it draws one firm line for unmarried couples: sex belongs to marriage.
- Short of that line, no verse gives a list, so couples decide their boundaries with wisdom, ahead of time and together.
- Paul asks us to treat each other “as sisters, with all purity”, so the person you date is first a brother or sister in Christ.
- Emotional boundaries are about pace: let closeness grow at the speed of commitment, and keep friends, family and church close.
- When two consciences differ, a couple keeps the stricter line, and a clear yes or no protects both people.
- Someone who keeps pushing past your no is showing you something; step back and talk to someone you trust.
- If a couple has crossed a line, God forgives the sin we confess, and it is not too late to begin again.
Bibliography (Click to show)
- The Holy Bible, King James Version (public domain), text from BibleGateway. Passages quoted: Genesis 24:4; Genesis 39:12; Judges 14:2; Proverbs 4:23; Song of Solomon 1:2, 2:7, 3:5, 8:4, 8:6–7; Matthew 5:37; Romans 12:10, 14:13; 1 Corinthians 13:5; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–6; 1 Timothy 5:1–2; 2 Timothy 2:22; Hebrews 13:4; 1 John 1:9.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2337–2359 (The vocation to chastity), Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2nd edition 1997: vatican.va.
- love is respect, Healthy relationships for young adults (contact details): loveisrespect.org.
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