Answer # 148

Dating is a modern form of social fellowship. Since it may lead to marriage, everyone should exercise great care with whom he or she dates. Christians are expressly COMMANDED: "Be ye NOT unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (II Corinthians 6:14.) We are here commanded to AVOID anything which would cause us to be "yoked together" with unbelievers or even to have continual FELLOWSHIP with them.

James warns us: "Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the ENEMY of God" (James 4:4). Put GOD first in your life. Have the courage to DRAW THE LINE on whom you will, and will not, date. One who really KNOWS God will BELIEVE that His way is right and will obey Him. The person who spurns God's advice is NOT a believer (see I John 2:4). Therefore, you should have no regular dates or fellowship with outsiders. God does provide you with social opportunities at the annual festivals.

Marriage is certainly the closest form of being "yoked together." And dating is a kind of close social FELLOWSHIP which usually precedes and may lead to marriage. If a Christian knowingly marries an unconverted person, HE IS DELIBERATELY DISOBEYING GOD. God forbids us to make such a mistake!