— Love begins not when you feel ready, but when you’re ready to obey God.
📖 Summary
Scripture doesn’t give an age or condition for dating—
it gives a spiritual posture: holiness, maturity, and self-control.
Dating is not a playground for emotion,
but a training ground for covenant.
1️⃣ Introduction | “Is it time for me to date?”
The right time is not when you “find someone,”
but when you’ve learned to follow Someone — God Himself.
If your heart seeks comfort more than holiness,
you are not ready for love; you are ready for idolatry.
2️⃣ Biblical Foundation | Fear of God Comes Before Love
📘 Proverbs 19:14 (ESV) — A prudent spouse is from the Lord.
📘 Song of Solomon 8:4 (ESV) — Do not awaken love until it pleases.
📘 Matthew 6:33 (ESV) — Seek first the kingdom, and God will add the rest.
→ Love is a gift, not a project; a calling, not a craving.
3️⃣ Theological Insight | Love Is a Holy Choice, Not an Emotion
📜 MacArthur — Love requires maturity, not mood.
📜 Sproul — True love pursues the other’s holiness, not pleasure.
📜 Piper — Dating is the prelude to covenant, not entertainment.
📜 Keller — Love is self-donation, not self-expression.
📜 Calvin — Feelings change; obedience remains.
→ Love is not about “finding the right person”
but about becoming the right person before God.
4️⃣ Misconceptions vs Biblical Truth
| Misconception | Cause | Biblical Truth |
|---|---|---|
| “I’m lonely, so I should date.” | Emotional emptiness | Love starts from fullness in God (Ps 23:1) |
| “As long as we love each other, it’s fine.” | Relativism | Love without holiness is lust (Jer 17:9) |
| “I’ll date after I’m financially ready.” | Materialism | Godly character matters more than income (Prov 19:14) |
| “Dating doesn’t need to lead to marriage.” | Secular view | Dating is a covenant rehearsal (Matt 19:5) |
5️⃣ Application | Four Readiness Questions
1️⃣ Have you learned to love God first?
2️⃣ Can you seek another’s holiness before your own comfort?
3️⃣ Are you ruled by conviction, not emotion?
4️⃣ Are you mature enough to move toward marriage?
6️⃣ Conclusion | God’s Timing Begins with Your Obedience
Dating begins not with a spark, but with surrender.
God entrusts love to those who can steward it for His glory.
“When you’re ready to love God faithfully,
you’re finally ready to love someone truly.” — Revito
Faith. Love. Renewal. — Revito
🔖 Hashtags
#ChristianDating #LoveAndHoliness #FaithAndRelationships #JohnMacArthur #RCSproul #JohnPiper #TimKeller #JohnCalvin #FaithLoveRenewal
