Purity and Respect in Dating
Excerpt from my new book âServing God Singleâ by Danielle Storm
If you are meant to serve God with a wife or husband, God will bring that person into your life in His perfect timing. We often want answers immediately, but God works according to His plan, not our schedule. Patience is one of the greatest lessons of the waiting season. It is not always easy to wait, especially when we long for companionship, marriage, or a family of our own. Yet waiting does not mean God has forgotten us. Sometimes He is preparing us, and sometimes He is preparing the other person.
There may be seasons where the person who will eventually become your spouse is walking a different path, learning difficult lessons, healing from past wounds, or even involved in relationships that are not meant to last. While we cannot know Godâs plans for another personâs life, we can trust that He is able to guide both people according to His will. During that waiting period, prayer, patience, and faithfulness are essential. Continue to grow in your relationship with God rather than placing your life on hold while waiting for someone else.
If you truly believe God has placed a desire for marriage on your heart, continue to love others well, serve faithfully, and seek Him first. Do not allow bitterness, jealousy, or fear to take root. The waiting season should not be spent obsessing over a future relationship but becoming the person God is calling you to be today.
A relationship that honors God should bring peace rather than constant confusion. The right partner will encourage your faith and strengthen your walk with Christ. They will not pull you away from your values or tempt you to compromise your convictions. Instead, they will support your spiritual growth and desire to grow spiritually alongside you.
A godly partner will treat you with dignity and respect. They will recognize your worth as a child of God. They will not pressure you into sexual conversations, request photographs that make you uncomfortable, or encourage behavior that violates your conscience. Respect is demonstrated not only through words but through actions. Someone who genuinely cares for you will protect your heart rather than seek to take advantage of it.
Purity is not merely about avoiding certain actions. It is about honoring God in the way we think, speak, and treat one another. A relationship rooted in purity seeks what is best for the other person rather than focusing only on personal desires. It values commitment, self-control, honesty, and mutual respect.
The person God places in your life should be someone who prays for you and with you. They should encourage you when you are struggling and remind you of Godâs promises when you feel discouraged. They should be willing to open Scripture with you, discuss matters of faith, and point you toward Christ when life becomes difficult. A healthy relationship should help both people grow closer to God rather than farther from Him.
While no human being is perfect, a godly relationship should be marked by humility, kindness, forgiveness, and a sincere desire to honor the Lord. Both people should be willing to learn, grow, and support one another through lifeâs challenges.
It is also important to remember that Godâs grace extends to every stage of life. Divorce, previous relationships, and past mistakes do not place someone beyond Godâs redemption. Loving someone who has been previously married is not inherently wrong. Many people carry stories of loss, disappointment, and heartbreak before finding healing and hope. Godâs grace is often seen in the way He restores what has been broken and creates beauty from difficult circumstances.
Families may come together in unexpected ways. Children from previous relationships can become deeply loved and cherished members of a new family. Love is not limited by biology. Some people are given opportunities to love, nurture, and guide children they did not originally bring into the world. Such relationships can become beautiful examples of Godâs redeeming work.
Ultimately, no spouse can replace God, and no relationship can fill every need of the human heart. True fulfillment comes from Christ alone. Yet a healthy, God-honoring marriage can be a tremendous blessing. The right partner will bring encouragement, companionship, support, and joy. They will make it easier to pursue Godâs calling rather than harder. Their presence in your life will reflect Godâs goodness, and together you will seek to glorify Him in your marriage, your home, and your daily lives.
Until that day comes, continue serving God faithfully. Trust His timing. Pray without ceasing. Walk in purity. Show respect to others and expect respect in return. Whether God calls you to lifelong singleness or to marriage, His plan is good, and His timing is perfect.