Recreational romance is dating for the sake of fun feelings and physical pleasure, with no thought of marriage. Even among Christians, such dating patterns are common--and devastating. When young people are told that it's okay to play games with romantic and physical passion but that intercourse is a no-no, they are being set up for failure. Most become sexually impure. If they do eventually marry someone, the one-flesh union is harmed by past sexual relationships. Also, if they date and then drop one person after another, they tend to treat marriage the same way. They quit when the going gets tough and go after someone else who seems more appealing. Recreational romance provides practice for divorce.

Christian courtship rejects the dating game. The aim of courtship is to get a godly spouse "in holiness and honor." If you're too young for marriage, you're too young for romance. Wait until you have the maturity and work skills to support a new household. When you meet someone special, don't just seek short-term fun. Your main goal in starting a relationship must be to find out if the two of you are meant for marriage. Seek God's guidance. Get the input of parents and family. Avoid backseats and bedrooms until marriage. Develop a spiritual and personal bond first. When you get married, the physical union will be all the better. If you treat romance as a game, you lose. If you seek a spouse in holiness and honor, you win.

PRAYER--Father, make us holy and wholesome. Forgive our sins, and change us. Guide families in Christian courtship, and bless new marriages with your grace. Amen.