You’ve decided that online dating is for you, but you’re not sure if broadcasting your Christian identity is such a good idea. You’re worried that it might limit your dating prospects to fewer people, and you want the best chance of success online. So, is it a good idea to display to others online that you’re a Christian?
There’s no doubt that your online dating profile is a big deal. After all, it’s an extension of your personality and an invitation for romantic advances from others. With those two premises in mind, let’s take a look at if it’s a good idea to label yourself as a Christian when using online dating sites.
Personality Extension
Your dating profile is an extension of your personality. Essentially, you are trying to give your potential suitors a brief highlight reel of your life and the things that you feel are most important. Does Christianity make the list of important highlights in your life?
There are many references in the Bible about your status and responsibilities as a Christian. As we’ll see later in this article, there are even some applicable verses for dating. However, there’s one passage that’s particularly important to this section about the Christian identity:
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, NKJV)
Some of your Bibles might have the above verses in red letters. That color indicates to the reader that Jesus spoke these words. Considering what our Savior said, does it make sense to hide your identity as a Christian?
Of course not. Reflecting on those words emphasizes the importance of displaying your Christian identity to others and advises against hiding it altogether. Don’t underestimate the possibilities that can come from professing Christianity. God can use the small steps of faith like that to open big doors for His glory.
You’re also helping change some pervasive trends by listing yourself as a Christian. There is a stigma against online dating in the more fundamental Christian circles. However, there are records of statistics for how many Christians use online dating sites based on their self-identification as such. Hopefully, the number of Christians affected by the stigma will shrink as the number of Christians using online dating sites grows.
Romantic Advances
Your Christian identity is also important for the romantic advances you entertain. As a Christian, you should only be seeking to date other Christians. If you’re reading this article, there’s little doubt that the last sentence probably came as a surprise to you.
The reason for dating only Christians is Biblical. As far as the Bible is concerned, the only form of a romantic relationship that gets the seal of approval is marriage. Historically speaking, it’s only recently that dating has emerged as a viable process for finding a mate. Nevertheless, the purpose is to find a mate. Therefore, marriage is the end goal of the dating process for Christians.
What Does The Bible Say?
The Apostle Paul gives us instructions about who Christians are allowed to marry. He makes it clear that Christians are to wed other Christians only (1Corinthians 7:39). In his second letter to the Corinthian church, he drives home his point about relationships with unbelievers by instructing Christians not to be yoked together with them (2Corinthians 6:14-15). The context of this latter passage is spiritual relationships, and a marital relationship is a spiritual union.
Ultimately, this restriction is good news in the grand scheme of things! In addition to obeying Biblical commands, you’re stacking the deck in your favor by only seeking out other Christians to date. People long to find a significant other who shares their same interests and fundamental values. By searching for Christians to date online, you’ve automatically got a head start with at least one shared interest and common values.
Furthermore, Christians are using online dating sites and already following this Biblical rule for dating! They’re only looking for other Christians online, and they won’t even consider dating anyone that’s not a Christian. If you choose to hide your status as a Christian, you will also be hidden from them on searches.
As you can see, hiding Christianity can actually be counterintuitive to your goal of having more [and better] options. As someone who’s dating to become married, it’s illogical for you to seek a partner that’s not a Christian also because marrying them would contradict 1Corinthians 7:39. Therefore, we encourage you to obey the instructions of the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul and seek out other Christians.
The Christian Identity
Theologically speaking, Christians advocate that Jesus is the Savior of the world and the Son of God. They recognize Jesus as the only One able to provide salvation and thereby establish individuals back into a right relationship with the Father (John 14:6). Christians have the duty and honor of being ambassadors for God and carry out the ministry of reconciliation (2Corinthians 5:20). Making Jesus known to the world is our spiritual job and moral obligation.
In Matthew 10:32-33, Jesus gives a promise and a stern warning concerning confessing or denying Him in front of mankind. If we reveal our faith in Him, He promises to recognize us in the presence of the Father. However, if we deny Him, He says that we will be denied in the presence of the Father.
We hope the above references are enough incentives to represent Christ to the world, including your online dating profile. Your faith should indeed be the guiding light for your lifestyle. However, it’s also the only hope of humanity and should be shared at every opportunity. That identity sharing includes the online dating realm also.