Dating, Marriage & Sexuality: The Christian Walk in a Culture of Compromise. How to navigate relationships and purity with truth and grace.

We live in a world today that often celebrates personal pleasure over God’s principles.

You have more secular than gospel awards shows for example.

What goes viral on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram is not something good very often but something provocative, sensational, or emotionally charged—often appealing to shock, controversy, or entertainment rather than truth, wisdom, or lasting value. 

Many believers—especially those of us who are older, seasoned by life, and deeply rooted in faith—find ourselves, navigating complex questions about dating, remarriage, intimacy, and purity. 

Some are divorced and wondering what’s next. Others are widowed or never married and face a culture, a society or environment where self-control and godly living are no longer respected but are instead ridiculed, dismissed, or treated as outdated or foolish.

But even in a compromised culture, God’s Word offers timeless guidance.

In Romans 12:2 (NLT), Paul writes:

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

This is where we begin—with a renewed mind. 

As Christians, we have to realize that while others can do what they want, we can’t.

The world may think it’s normal to have a sweet thing on the side (normalize hookups), the world may think it’s ok to redefine marriage (instead of woman and man it can be woman and woman or man and man), the world may scoff at celibacy and call you strange because since you and your husband separated or divorced 20 years ago you haven’t had another man.

But Christian people, do you know that no matter how you feel sometimes you have to say no, you have to stop before things get out of hand, and you simply cannot conform?

Do you know Christian people that we are called to be transformed, and our relationships must reflect God’s holiness and not Hollywood’s values?

Now for those who are dating or considering it, even later in life, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (NLT) provides clear direction:

“God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.”

There is no expiration date on purity. Holiness is not about age; it’s about obedience. Whether you’re 25 or 65, your body is still a temple of the Holy Spirit.

Marriage, likewise, is sacred. It’s more than companionship or shared responsibilities. It’s covenant. 

In Hebrews 13:4 (AMP), we read:

“Marriage is to be held in honor among all [that is, regarded as something of great value], and the marriage bed undefiled [by immorality or by any sexual sin]; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”

This is clear: faithfulness in marriage matters to God—emotionally, physically, and spiritually. 

Whether you’ve been married 30 years or are contemplating remarriage, the biblical standard does not change.

But we should balance being compassionate (grace) with being honest and firm about what’s right (truth). One without the other can lead to either harshness or compromise—both are needed to reflect Christ well. 

Some people have diverse experiences: some have failed, some have regrets. And some are dealing with wounds from broken vows or long seasons of loneliness. 

Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well in John 4:17-18 (NLT) reminds us of His compassionate truth: “The woman said, ‘I don’t have a husband.’ Jesus said, ‘You’re right! You don’t have a husband—for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now.’”

Importantly, Jesus did not shame her. He revealed the truth and then offered her living water. 

In a culture of compromise, we don’t just need condemnation—we need living water, fresh starts, and redeemed desires.

For those who are single and waiting, or those choosing celibacy after divorce or widowhood, know that singleness is not a curse. 

Isaiah 54:5 (NLT) declares: “For your Creator will be your husband; the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is His name! He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of all the earth.”

So we are not forgotten. God sees us. Our fulfillment is not tied to a partner—it is anchored in God’s presence.

And for everyone of us, whether single, married, divorced, or remarried, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT) is a sober reminder of who we belong to: “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”

Family, this is not about rules—it’s about reverence. It’s about living out our identity as redeemed people in a world that’s lost its way.

So, how do we walk this out? With discernment. With community. With the Holy Spirit guiding us. With boundaries rooted in the Word, not the world. And most of all, with the understanding that God’s grace is sufficient and His truth is liberating.

So whether we’re navigating dating for the first time in years, strengthening a decades-long marriage, or seeking to live holy in singleness, remember this: we are not walking alone. 

What’s important for us to leave here with today Family is: in every season, God’s design for love, intimacy, and relationship is not just right—it’s B E S T best. 

aub - 28May25

www.ZJoyVI.com 

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