Dating Non-Believers: A Wise Choice for Christians?

Question:

Can I date a non-Christian or non-believer? 

Answer: 

It seems like this question is coming from a believer, a disciple of Jesus, who wants to follow Him. The question is, "Can I date someone who is not a believer, who is not a Christian?" My answer would be no, as it's not a wise decision and goes against what God's Word teaches us.

There are a couple of things I want you guys to look at. 

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 NLT says: 

"Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil, and how can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?" 

It's evident here, as Paul writes this inspired by the Holy Spirit, that he's emphasizing the challenge of being in a partnership or relationship with a non-believer. Considering this in your own life, why would you want to date someone who is not a believer?

You might have feelings and attraction towards that person, and there may be great qualities about them. However, if Jesus is truly the Lord of your life and the center of your life, and if you desire to follow Him and center your life around Him, why would you want to enter into a close and intimate relationship with someone who doesn't share those same values or prioritize the things of the Lord?

And so, as Paul would say, he just asks these questions. "What harmony can there be between a Christ and the devil, and how can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?" 

Even in a dating relationship, the principle of being unequally yoked applies. Just as it's unwise to enter into a marriage with a non-believer, the same applies to dating. A dating relationship is special and involves a closer connection than other types of relationships. You want to be heading in the same direction as your partner. If they are headed toward worldly pursuits rather than toward Christ, their life will likely follow that direction, too. It's not wise, doesn't honor the Lord, and sets you up for potential failure, heartache, and pain.

Another verse I'd like to share is from Amos 3 NLT in the Old Testament. Amos, a prophet, poses a simple yet profound question that's worth pondering as you consider who you want to date and the relationships you want to pursue.

 "Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?" 

So, think about the direction of your life. Is your life headed in the direction of growing in the Lord, serving the Lord, living for the Lord, laying your life down for the Lord? If your life is directed towards Christ, the person you're dating or pursuing a relationship with must also be headed in the same direction. Otherwise, how can you really walk together? How can you really have a relationship? 

I hope that answers your question. How can you walk together without agreeing on a direction? And if you don't agree on who Jesus Christ is in your life, how can there be a relationship?

To Listen to more or ask your own questions, click here: https://youtu.be/CFwnzM-AEvw

Can I Date A Non-Christian or Non-Believer? - Calvary Youth Apologetics

Overcoming YouTube Addiction: Insights from Scripture

Question: 
How Do I Get Over My YouTube Addiction?

Recognizing the Addiction

Hey, guys. We have a question here: "How can I get over a YouTube addiction?"

Great question. It's not just related to YouTube, but maybe social media and video games. There are so many things that we can get obsessed with, fixated on, and addicted to that as you start it, maybe it's not something sinful or wrong, but it starts to totally consume your life. It's a really good thing to address and talk about.

Biblical Insight: 1 Corinthians 6:12

I'm reminded of 1 Corinthians 6:12 NLT. In this section, Paul discusses avoiding sin and addiction. He specifically discusses sexual sin, but I think this can apply to many things and our addictive personalities that we might have to wrestle with.

"You say I'm allowed to do anything, but not everything is good for you. And even though I am allowed to do anything, I must not become a slave to anything." 

Freedom and Responsibility

In another translation, Paul would say, I don't want to come under the power of something else. The idea here is that YouTube, in and of itself, might not be wrong or sinful, depending on the content you're watching. And so, we have the freedom and the liberty to use it and to enjoy it. But at the same time, we see here Paul says we're allowed to do anything, we have the freedom to do some of these things, but the reminder is that not everything is good for you. 

So, I think this is a really good spot to just remember as you think about addiction to YouTube, social media, whatever it might be. Not everything is good for you. It can really suck you in for hours and just take you to a place where it truly becomes an addiction. 

The idea of a believer is that we don't want to come under the power of anything other than the Holy Spirit. We want the Holy Spirit to be the thing that controls our lives and has power over them.

Realigning Focus: 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

So, how do we break free from addiction? Well, we want to get our minds back on Jesus Christ. Later, in 2 Corinthians, Paul says: 

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

You might think, "Okay, I want to get back on YouTube." 

No, you don't want that thought to take you down that direction, but you want to take that thought and be like, "Lord, is this the wisest thing I should be doing right now?" And acknowledging the Lord and bringing the Lord into these decisions that you're making.

Shedding Weight: Hebrews 12:1 NLT

Another idea that comes from Hebrews Chapter 12:1 NLT, where the author of Hebrews tells us:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

To listen to more podcasts or to ask your questions, click here: https://youtu.be/wqTmjuYd3Wo

How Do I Get Over My YouTube Addiction? - Calvary Youth Apologetics

Calvary Youth

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