What Does the Bible Say About... Singleness and Dating?
Christians view marriage differently than the rest of the world. We believe it is a covenant created by God and designed to reflect His gospel. When it comes to singleness, however, some of us may feel tempted to adopt a worldly perspective, viewing it as inherently less-than. Most people desire to be married, but all of us have experienced singleness before and might experience it again. Having a biblical perspective of singleness is healthy for us all.
This past Sunday, Pastor Michael brought us to 1 Corinthians 7, an extremely helpful text for us as we consider the topic of singleness. He shared that singleness is a gift that can uniquely showcase the sufficiency of the gospel, but that singleness is also a challenge.
Singleness is a gift, but that does not mean that all single people necessarily possess the gift of singleness. Many single people desire to be married, and this is a good desire. Still, even for those who go on to marry, singleness is a special stage of life. Singleness can present an advantage for displaying undivided devotion to God, as those in this stage of life do not possess the added responsibility of caring for a spouse. While marriage uniquely reflects Christ’s union with the church, singleness can uniquely display contentment in Christ.
With that being said, singleness also poses challenges. Because most people desire marriage, singles can wrestle with loneliness and delayed desires. According to a survey by Crossway in 2017, 76% of singles think about marriage often, and 50% of singles are often tempted to idolize marriage. Culture’s pressure for one to find his or her identity in sexual expression adds to the challenges faced by singles in the church.
Regarding dating, Michael shared helpful advice for singles as they enter into dating relationships. Seeking the Lord in prayer, walking in community with a local church, and consistently evaluating the helpfulness of the dating relationship are all important in dating with discernment.
No matter what stage of life we are in, it serves us well to consider the unique blessings and challenges of singleness. No matter our stage of life, we can care for one another with intentionality while we together await the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Resources:
When to Marry — Ligonier Ministries
Infographic: What's Your Take on Singleness, Dating, and Marriage? — Crossway
Reflection Questions:
In what are you tempted to find contentment outside of Christ?
How do spiritual disciplines help us find contentment in Christ?
How can you care for church members in different life stages of life?