CHRISTIAN DATING ARTICLES BY DR. JIM RIVES

Christian singles, would you like to see a Credit Report for single Christians you are considering dating? Would you provide a Credit Report if someone asked you in consideration of building a Christian dating relationship?

Sadly too many Christian singles have made poor choices, or been impacted by the choices of others, that place them in poor financial condition. The force to connect sometimes prompts people to take risk beyond reason. The results are more often than not devastating to their financial health. I strongly encourage Christian singles to stop before taking financial risks and seek wise counsel before taking the plunge.

If this were true, would it not be prudent to obtain a financial report before entering into a possible Christian dating relationship? Logically I would agree and believe that it would save Christian singles some big heartache. I do believe that at some point as the Christian dating relationship turns to serious consideration of marriage any financial difficulties need to be surfaced. This is part of honesty and integrity upon which healthy Christian dating relationships are built. Yet, to provide a Credit Report after a few emails or even after dating a few times is too clinical and troubles me. Such quick action on deep choices is moving in a microwave mode of building relationships. For some Christian singles, it has become very acceptable to consider love or even marriage after one or two emails and a few phone calls. This is not love or serious consideration but moving from a reference of need and gratification. Emotions are wonderful but when that is the only diet the Christian dating relationship will die much like the physical body would respond to a diet of pure sugar.

There is a very practical caution about providing Credit Reports to others. Every Credit Report contains the social security number. Even on some Christian dating sights, many participants are either married or playing a self-serving game. I am very concerned that there would be those, men and women, which would use this approach to gain social security numbers so that they can steal your identity and credit. NEVER provide your social security number to anyone, especially via the Internet.

The request for a Credit Report may be a wise and prudent move. However, it raises more questions as to motivation. If it is done purely as a screening device to cull out potential Christian singles for Christian dating, I find this self-serving on the part of the one requesting such action. If it is a mutually agreed action between two individuals who have taken the time to get to know each other over several months and used as a part of solidifying their Christian dating relationship, so be it. However, if one does not tell you the truth, is a piece of paper going to make a difference?

I have reached the conclusion that there are other elements of a truthful interaction that will surface the promptings to tell you that something is not right. If sex and self-gratification are not part of the interactions, God’s Spirit will lead you to the truth at a much deeper level than a Credit Report will provide. Prayerfully, read Philippians chapter 2 and 4.

Related Christian articles for singles: Christian Dating: Results of a survey on Christian Dating vs. Christian “Courting” And: Christian Singles: Hurting people hurt others! And: Christian Dating Advice: how to start Dating again? And: Advice for Christian Singles: Should a single Christian woman let a single Christian man know she is interested? And: Christian Singles: "Is it love?" And: Christian Dating: VCR- style Dating is hurtful And: Christian Dating: "Dear Christian Singles, what Criteria Do You Use for Dating other Christians?" And: Christian singles, when it comes to Christian Dating, start with a course called "Breaking Up 101" And: Is Christianity An Excuse for Christian Singles to Be Passive? And: Finding the Will of God and Making godly Decisions

In His love,
Pastor Jim

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