Finding love via internet dating is still a topic of mixed review especially in the Christian community. I think most people, particularly Christians, are not only concerned about the safety component, but they are also concerned about the biblical component as well.
Since it's worldwide inception, the internet, in all its facets, has grown to be one of the largest platforms for a variety of things from learning how to cook, making money, booking travel, launching businesses, e-reading, shopping, connecting via social media, online classes, etc., just to name a micro few. The internet has also grown to be a great place for social networking, and unfortunately a not so great place for social engineering, and an overwhelmingly exciting social place for finding love without ever leaving the comfort of your home. We as consumers have surpassed our needs and wants when compared to the needs and wants of a traditional consumer during the 1950s for example.
Let's be honest, we are mainly a society of people who want what we want right now and not tomorrow. Humanly speaking, we like gratification even in the most instant form. Spiritually speaking, God likes it when we live our lives with much gratitude. I would say these perspectives are polar opposite. Whether you believe in Jesus or not, you need to be aware of your surroundings even when connecting yourself to the internet for varies reasons. What we allow in our lives is still our responsibility. As Christians, we are responsible to make sure we are in step with God's plan for our life as we make choices, and yes, internet choices.
Wanting what we want doesn't make God move any faster and sometimes when we are in pursuit of love, we must decide what path we believe God is asking us to take to get to our next life step. The question still remains is it ok to want what we want when we feel we are ready to find love?
My short answer to internet dating is this must be a personal choice for you. I know that God leads us in many different ways--some conventional and some unconventional. You need to know that no matter what you decide to do or try, again, it's not going to make God go any faster than what He thinks you're ready for.
The internet is a resource, and the purpose of the internet is not bad. What makes the internet bad is the fact that some people seek to use the internet to do harm to others. Just like in traditional dating, you must be aware of the risks if you decide to give internet dating a try. People lie in person and on the internet when it comes to who they are. Blind dates are scary when family and friends "set" you up, and the same is true when you are meeting someone for the first time in person that you've met on the internet. There is no "special" internet dating holy water to help you discern a wolf in sheep's clothing. You will find them both inside and outside the church. If you don't know the Shepherd's voice, you will be easily led astray so don't be led by your emotions, because they change day by day and minute by minute. Whether you meet a person in the church or not, you need to verify that Jesus is indeed Lord over their life. Use wisdom in sharing too much of your personal information too soon or getting to comfortable too soon. Just like when you find someone from traditional dating make sure you have other mature believers meet and spend some time with this person you met on the internet before you say "I DO."
God has brought couples together in many different ways. Some Christians have used internet dating and to no avail. While others have used it and are walking testimonies. The point here is there is no guarantee that just because you see a person with the perfect profile on the internet that they are perfect for you. The ONLY guarantee is God. If you get ahead of God, you will receive your results. However, if you are in step with God, you will receive God's results. Even though God uses many different methods, God is still the same god even though the internet is available and that fact will NEVER change.
Since it's worldwide inception, the internet, in all its facets, has grown to be one of the largest platforms for a variety of things from learning how to cook, making money, booking travel, launching businesses, e-reading, shopping, connecting via social media, online classes, etc., just to name a micro few. The internet has also grown to be a great place for social networking, and unfortunately a not so great place for social engineering, and an overwhelmingly exciting social place for finding love without ever leaving the comfort of your home. We as consumers have surpassed our needs and wants when compared to the needs and wants of a traditional consumer during the 1950s for example.
Let's be honest, we are mainly a society of people who want what we want right now and not tomorrow. Humanly speaking, we like gratification even in the most instant form. Spiritually speaking, God likes it when we live our lives with much gratitude. I would say these perspectives are polar opposite. Whether you believe in Jesus or not, you need to be aware of your surroundings even when connecting yourself to the internet for varies reasons. What we allow in our lives is still our responsibility. As Christians, we are responsible to make sure we are in step with God's plan for our life as we make choices, and yes, internet choices.
Wanting what we want doesn't make God move any faster and sometimes when we are in pursuit of love, we must decide what path we believe God is asking us to take to get to our next life step. The question still remains is it ok to want what we want when we feel we are ready to find love?
My short answer to internet dating is this must be a personal choice for you. I know that God leads us in many different ways--some conventional and some unconventional. You need to know that no matter what you decide to do or try, again, it's not going to make God go any faster than what He thinks you're ready for.
The internet is a resource, and the purpose of the internet is not bad. What makes the internet bad is the fact that some people seek to use the internet to do harm to others. Just like in traditional dating, you must be aware of the risks if you decide to give internet dating a try. People lie in person and on the internet when it comes to who they are. Blind dates are scary when family and friends "set" you up, and the same is true when you are meeting someone for the first time in person that you've met on the internet. There is no "special" internet dating holy water to help you discern a wolf in sheep's clothing. You will find them both inside and outside the church. If you don't know the Shepherd's voice, you will be easily led astray so don't be led by your emotions, because they change day by day and minute by minute. Whether you meet a person in the church or not, you need to verify that Jesus is indeed Lord over their life. Use wisdom in sharing too much of your personal information too soon or getting to comfortable too soon. Just like when you find someone from traditional dating make sure you have other mature believers meet and spend some time with this person you met on the internet before you say "I DO."
God has brought couples together in many different ways. Some Christians have used internet dating and to no avail. While others have used it and are walking testimonies. The point here is there is no guarantee that just because you see a person with the perfect profile on the internet that they are perfect for you. The ONLY guarantee is God. If you get ahead of God, you will receive your results. However, if you are in step with God, you will receive God's results. Even though God uses many different methods, God is still the same god even though the internet is available and that fact will NEVER change.
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