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Relationships Choosing who you marry is one of the most important decisions of your life. It is a decision that deserves careful consideration, prayer, and wise counsel. Here are some Bible verses on relationships: First of all, do not pressure anyone against being single! There is nothing wrong with being single. In fact, the Bible suggests that it is better to be single. You can read Paul the Apostle's words on purity, marriage, and singleness here: 1 Corinthians 7 See also Jesus’ words on divorce and singleness: Matthew 19:3-12 Likewise, do not forbid marriage. The Bible says, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.” (Proverbs 18:22). It is one thing to forbid or postpone an unwise marriage, but if you forbid all marriage, then you might be in danger of having departed from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1-3). Marriage is hard work! Respect is perhaps one of the most important, yet least understood foundations for a successful marriage. You can read Paul the Apostle's words on love and respect here: Ephesians 5:22-33 Be a friend to your spouse: “His mouth is most sweet, Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, And this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem!” (Song of Solomon 5:16). Abstain from sexual sin. If you call yourself a Christian, yet you have no desire to abstain from sexual sin, then you are defrauding the one you love and you are rejecting God: “...each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 4:4-8) “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:18-20) How can we avoid sexual sin? “...Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16) “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2) Sex between a married couple is a good thing. It can truly be a beautiful expression of love when the husband and wife are more concerned about each other rather than their own wants and desires. Do not deprive your spouse (1 Corinthians 7:3-5). What does the Bible say about divorce? “Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.” For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce, “For it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the LORD of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously” (Malachi 2:15-16). Relationships Links Here are my top recommended resources on relationships: Love And Respect - Respect is of vital importance (Ephesians 5:33). If there was only one resource I could recommend to couples, this would be it. Abstaining from Sexual Sin - important sermon by John MacArthur Thoughts on Love and Relationships - Profound thoughts by Michael Portillo. I think every young person should read this. I Kissed Dating Goodbye - I especially recommend this book for people who are too young to start dating. Whether you call it “dating” or “courtship” is not the point. The point is that you don’t want to get involved with someone when the possibility of marriage is ridiculously far off (don’t “fling” with people or you may live to regret it). See also Dateable: Are You? Are They? Love Must Be Tough - It is not loving to compromise on certain things. By James Dobson of Focus on the Family. Boundaries in Dating - one of the better books on dating, in my opinion