Relationships Pt.1
Catchy topic right? Welcome back to my blog site. In the month of December I will focus on all things Relationships which I hope will provide clarity on several gray areas.
This Topic will be sub-divided into 2 parts or maybe 3.
Part 1 entails:
The Foundation, Dating, and Sex, let's delve right into to shall we..
Introduction
Christians from teens to adults form all kinds of relationships. From friendships to dating, these are the years that we start building ties outside of the family. While these relationships are an exciting time for us, they also come with their own issues and hazards. ( I can attest to this) Suddenly the issues of sex and boundaries start to arise, I remember creating a list of what is permissible before getting into in a relationship.(My silly days) There are a lot of growing to do in all aspects of relationships, and having Biblical and Christian guidance is essential.
Friendship
Friendship is the foundation of any good relationship. Whether you are looking to make friends or keep the ones you have, friendship is important in life. This is also why we need to work at keeping friendships strong. Think of the traits that are important in any relationship like honesty and trust, and they apply to your friends. Avoiding pitfalls like gossip and lying go a long way in building friendships that last a lifetime.
I am actually at a stage in my life where I appreciate genuine friendships than relationships, with that being mentioned this paragraph is vital to remember.
Additionally choosing who you include in your circle of friends is also very critical. Persons can come at us with ulterior motives, pray for a spirit of discernment when creating friendships; this is rarely mentioned because most tend to perceive friendships as a soft area that does not require much attention.
Do not be satisfied with having friends who just provide company on good and bad days; they go beyond that.
Dating/Courting
Dating is a part of our lives. Whether you are choosing not to date or looking to set boundaries in your dating relationships, there is a lot to consider when you take a relationship to the next step beyond friendship. Knowing what you want from a dating relationship and finding ways to resist temptation will allow you to build a productive and Christian dating relationship. Stemming from your friendship, the person you date will be no stranger to your lifestyle, and expectations. Your partner should already know
a great deal about you. There is a familiar phrase "Do not date/court if marriage is not the goal."
Well don't we wish everyone adhered to this? I sure do!! What a huge amount of time we would not have wasted. The decision to date the person you choose, should make you confident. Dating a believer is the first step in the right direction. (Unequally yoked relationships are a recipe for disaster). I believe once that person is equally yoked with you the entire relationship becomes easier and it is not classified as a "project". Your goals as a couple are equally desired. Now anyone can profess they are a believer, I hope you don't fall for words easily. You will know them by their fruits. Take time to observe their lifestyle, going to church, doesn't make him or her an automatic believer or a candidate to date. I have met many guys who attended churches and were involved in church activities but their characteristics were not Godly like.
I will stress on this, do not fall head over heels because he/she:
Attends church regularly
Is involved or active in ministry
Sings/plays an instrument
Please rely on God's guidance and direction.
Sex
The Bible covers sex quite a bit, and for good reason. Sex is a beautiful thing meant to be experienced by a married couple. Yet a lot are already having sex, not realizing the emotional and physical consequences. Sex tends to be a trend or a requirements for most relationships to survive in the world. Some are not having sexual intercourse, and doing everything but "going all the way." This brings up the question, "How far is too far?" Knowing what the Bible says about sex and understanding the lies teens tell themselves about sex can help you remain abstinent and focus on purity. (A comprehensive article on this to come)
Conclusion to Part 1
I hope the sub topics mentioned above provided clarity on the importance of friendships and dating. There are a a lot more that can be said, but I do not want to type an entire book here.
Stay tuned for Part 2 (coming soon)