What does the Bible say about singleness? It has a lot to say about marriage, but only a few verses about dating.

Well, the most prominent verses about singleness are by Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter seven verses thirty-two through thirty-five. Let’s check those out first before diving into it:

‘I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. ‘
1 Corinthians 7:32-35 NIV

When I read this verse, I thought, “Hm. So we’re not supposed to get married? Because that sounds like it what Paul is saying. Which doesn’t make sense because God literally made man to have a partner in Genesis 2.”

Well after some reading, research, talking to my pastor, and listening to a sermon, I discovered the meaning of these verses.

It is talking about wasting your singleness.

So how are you wasting your singleness?

You might be constantly thinking about a certain guy or girl, or focusing on how you’re useless because you’re not dating anyone. Or maybe your Pinterest feed is filled with those cute couple goals and it just makes you sad. Or maybe you’re jealous of your friends who have boyfriends or girlfriends already and you’re stuck being the third wheel.

This is wasting your singleness. You can also waste your singleness even if you’re not focusing on dating, but by not focusing on helping your faith grow and thrive.

You see, when you are single, you should be preparing yourself for when you are in a relationship. You want to be the best person you can be, right? The same is for marriage and your faith. You shouldn’t be waiting for a partner to help your faith when you can be improving your faith while you are single and unbound.

This goes for while you are in a relationship as well, but it has some extra stuff: when you and your partner, whether y’all are married or dating or engaged or whatever, you should not be distracting them from their walk with God. Not distracting them, not holding them back, and not pushing them either.

Let’s say you’re single. (Unless you already are. Then…whoop whoop!) But all jokes aside, let’s be serious. You’re a single Pringle, and you’re following Christ. Then, somebody comes in and is all cute and nice and godly and basically perfect…so you focus on them, turn your attention to them, and try to be only with them.

But you say, “Well, I’m doing this so we can date and have a godly relationship!”

Well let me tell you something, amigo: it’s not a godly relationship if they are distracting you from your relationship with God. And it’s not a godly relationship if you are distracting them from their relationship with God.

My pastor said it like this: Only give up your singleness for someone who will sharpen your devotion to the Lord, not distract it.

I think that sums it up about right, don’t you?

Now, singleness or marriage is not the point! Paul is saying that the aim of Christians living is undivided or undistracted devotion to God, and singleness provides the opportunity for this. Marriage is not wrong, but it is taking on a relationship that can easily distract us from God.

Now, how can we be purposeful with our singleness?

Read your Bible, worship, and pray unbound. This means that you don’t rely on other people to do it with you. Of course, we should do those things with others, but if you only rely on other people when doing these things, then you’re not actually relying on God.

So in conclusion?

Don’t waste your singleness! Be ready to be that person who won’t distract their partner from God.

Thanks for reading!
~Willow