Counsels on Relationships

Counsel #4 — Idolatry In Dating

Picture: Counsel #4 — Idolatry in Dating CR 59.1

An idol can be anything you prioritize over God. It’s possible for a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship to take precedence over your relationship with God. You know you are in danger of idolizing your partner if you prioritize time with them over time spent with Jesus or if you start to neglect family obligations and other responsibilities such as work or school in favor of time with your girlfriend or boyfriend.^[58] CR 59.2

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” 1 John 5:21 NKJV CR 59.3

“The pleadings of affection and love, the yearnings of friendship, will not move you to turn aside from truth and duty; you will not sacrifice duty to inclination…. If in your infatuation, you can repeatedly turn from the prayer-meeting, where God meets with His people, in order to enjoy the society of one who has no love for God, and who sees no attractions in the religious life, how can you expect God to prosper such a union?” Ellen White in Messages to Young People, pp. 437, 438  CR 59.4

Reflect: What safeguards can you put in place so that the time you spend with God will always be the most important? CR 59.5