The Power of Christian Friendship: Discovering Shared Values Before Committing to RomanceÀpẹrẹ

Day 1: Purity and Honesty

Having shared values with the person you’re dating is essential to a long-lasting relationship. Starting your relationship as friends is powerful because it allows you to learn each other’s values and see how they impact your decisions. Finding out that you have similar values creates a strong foundation to build a romantic relationship.

Discovering the shared values of purity and honesty helps you make decisions that align with your faith and personal beliefs.

Purity

Emphasizing the value of purity involves a commitment to maintain sexual purity until marriage, which is seen as honoring God with our bodies. This commitment is a personal choice and a shared value that signifies respect for each other and God’s perfect plan for relationships. When you’re friends with someone before dating, you get to learn how they view having sex outside of marriage without pressure and see if you share the value of physical purity.

But purity in this context also extends beyond physical actions; it encompasses the purity of heart and intentions. As friends transition into a romantic relationship, understanding this value means recognizing the importance of setting boundaries together. This mutual understanding and commitment to purity can help prevent misunderstandings and build trust because you’re aligned in honoring God’s principles.

Honesty

Honesty is paramount in any relationship, but it has a deeper significance in Christian dating. It's about being truthful with yourself, God, and the person you’re dating, especially within your faith. When dating, embracing honesty means openly sharing your faith journey, fears, hopes, and expectations. This honesty, which begins in friendship, allows you and your partner to see each other's authentic selves, creating a transparent environment where genuine understanding can flourish.

Being honest about your faith and spiritual goals ensures you are on the same page, minimizing conflicts and fostering a harmonious relationship. This transparency encourages vulnerability, which is important for emotional intimacy and connection. As friends, when you begin to share your honest thoughts and feelings, you lay a groundwork of trust essential for a deeper, romantic relationship.

When you discover these shared values of purity and honesty in friendship before committing to romance, you create a strong foundation for building a genuine, respectful, and spiritually fulfilling relationship. By focusing on these values, you can grow closer to each other and God, creating a partnership rooted in love and faith.