Christian teens should not be dating

Studies have shown that dating at such a young age may lead to reckless behaviors such as pre-marital sex and fights (1). From observations and personal experience, people who are young don't have the proper mindset to handle relationships. When i was 13, i didn't have control over my emotions and treated girls more like objects than people. Young people are simply immature to have a real relationship with the exception of some but very rare. Teens may also lack self-discipline and responsibility for the relationship to work. Christians also tend to get the wrong ideas of relationships from movies (ex. the Notebook, Frozen, Twilight, etc.) and romance novels as well as social customs (flirting, signals, playing hard to get, friends). It's based on emotion rather than mature understanding. This is a viewpoint far from what the Bible teaches about relationships. Relationships in the Bible are based on effective communication and security in the self as a steward of God's blessings not in what society teaches. Gen. 2:24 "24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." What can we glean from the text? 1.A committed relationship - Nowhere is dating mentioned. A sold committed relationship for life is what God created the man and woman for. Dating is simply a method to test to see if your boy/girl friend is compatible. 2. Independence - In a committed relationship, the man is to be financially and emotionally independent in all aspects of life. If he's not able to provide for his own needs and wants, he cannot provide for the needs and wants of his lover. Most teens don't have that type of independence because of how society is structured. They have school to worry about and still live in their parent's houses. 3. Insight - God is the one who gives wisdom and provider of a companion of man. Before considering a life partner, it's wise to gain insight from parents and God. Teens may refuse to do so as their parents might not approve of the relationship. 4. Compromise - In a real relationship, you need to be able to compromise and work as a team. You and your partner must be able to work as a team. It requires trust, character, knowing who you are and what you want, selflessness, sacrifice, dedication, and so on. You cannot fight over beliefs, appearance, be selfish, and must control the relationship very well. You must be willing to listen and understand to your partner as well as love them which takes patience. Teens might rush into love and end up dissolving the relationship because it was never built upon love. Proverbs 31 gives a great example of what a wife should be like 10 " Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: 29 "Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all." 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." The Godly wife is independent and fears the LORD. She does her best in everything that she does for her family and husband. She has a strong character whereas many teen girls simply do not because they need more life experience and spiritual maturity to develop that kind of attitude. Courtship might be a better alternative than dating as it is well suited for men who seek a wife with the council of multiple family members. Conclusion: These are just few considerations to take to conclude that Christian teens should not be dating. Sources: 1. http://www.everydayhealth.com...