Subject: Anything wrong with dating? |
Bible Note: Dear PVSpud, Blessings to you in Jesus’ name! I appreciate your comments “from a teenager’s perspective.” It is refreshing to read an intelligent note from young man. I was once a youth, too, and even remember some of the turmoil I went through. I understand you wanting to make the “which came first” argument that trusting parents produces obedient children. The Bible even supports that to some degree… "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4 NASB "Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart." Colossians 3:21 NASB However… “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child (see note below); The rod of discipline will remove it far from him. “ Proverbs 22:15 NASB Strong’s - nah'-ar - From H5287; (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication a servant; also (by interchange of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age): - babe, boy, child, damsel [from the margin], lad, servant, young (man). And… “Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” Ephesians 2:3 NASB Please do not label my comments as “condemnation.” I am a shepherd, called to preach and teach the word of God. Your parents may not “Check on you constantly,” but if they aren’t watching you and communicating with you, they are indeed foolish. It seems that you have a rare relationship with your parents, treasure it! As to your ability to discern whether or not you have “problems with satan,” watch out! “Self Diagnostics” does not work that well with computers, and is even worse with people. If you are truly able to enjoy a healthy, non-physical relationship, exploring one another’s hearts in preparation for marriage, you two are very special! But if you think that you can get physically intimate-but-never- too-intimate, and date around until you find the “right” person, you are indeed living in deception. Please note that succumbing to temptation just once can hurt a lot of people! Modern “dating” is not written in the Bible anywhere. In the Lord Jesus, we have friendship, and we have courting. (watch John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara in “The Quite Man,” but PLEASE try to have a less explosive courtship!) Blessings in Christ Jesus, charis |