What kinds of boundaries should I set up in my dating relationships?

Hebrews 13:18Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do.

It is wise to set boundaries and guidelines for your dating relationships before you get involved. They should be based on the principles for relationships and marriage already created by God and found in the Bible. When you are discussing boundaries with a potential partner, the conversation should include issues like: appropriate physical touch, appropriate topics to discuss, how to treat a friend with respect and honor, purity of speech, and building a spiritual basis to the relationship. When you go into a dating relationship committed to staying within your boundaries, you are building the foundation for a healthy relationship and you can end each date with a clear conscience.

Proverbs 31:30Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

Good judgment is vital to making good decisions. This is especially true when deciding who you will date. Beauty and lust have clouded people’s judgment since the beginning of time. If you are dating someone who is pushing you to engage in activities you know are not in line with God’s desire for relationships, don’t allow your judgment to be dulled. Good judgment calls you to set up clear boundaries (which might include ending the relationship) so that you will not be led to compromise your relationship with God.

Proverbs 11:22A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.

Just like an expensive ring in a pig’s snout, a person’s outward beauty is worthless if the person is foolish. Wisdom is desirable above beauty.