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‘Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?’ 2 Corinthians 6:14 NIV

An ox and a donkey each have a tail, two eyes, and four legs. But if you harness them together, they won’t get along or work well together. Actually, they will pull in different directions. That’s because God made them with very different natures and attributes!

With that picture in your mind, here’s some advice on dating. Looks soon fade, so choose someone who has other, less obvious attributes. For example:

(1) Consider their manners and how they treat the waiter at the restaurant.

(2) What type of interests do they have?

(3) Do they share your spiritual values and beliefs?

(4) Do they show genuine interest in what you have to say?

(5) How do they treat people they’re not trying to impress?

Once the newness of the initial attraction wears off, there must be something more, or the relationship is headed for the rocks. And make sure you’re the chooser, and not the chosen. Think about what you really want, and don’t entrust your heart to someone without first sizing up their suitability.

The only way to do that is to ask questions and ask God for discernment so you can learn to read their motives through their mannerisms. If you’re going to make an informed decision about sharing your life with this person, and share the most intimate, vulnerable parts of yourself literally and figuratively, you must open your eyes, along with all your senses, and really see the other person. Stop. Look. Listen. Pray. That’s the Bible’s formula for making a wise decision when it comes to choosing a mate for life.

SoulFood: Acts 1:1–3:10, Luke 7:36–50, Ps 123, Pro 16:1