Questions and Answers with Amy McHale

Is it okay to go out with someone who isn't a Christian?

Ok so, the guy/ girl you really like has a great sense of humour, they’re smart, have the same taste in movies/books/music as you…they’re seriously good-looking and you think they might be into you too but there’s one small problem…they’re not Christians and have no relationship with God.

For a long time I didn’t understand why I shouldn’t go out with anyone I cared about because they didn’t have the same beliefs but now I understand why I shouldn’t and why other Christians (young or old!) shouldn’t. In 2Corinthians 6:14-15 Paul clearly writes “do not be yoked together with unbelievers…what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” To be yoked basically means stuck together so what he’s saying is don’t get stuck to someone who isn’t right for you!

When it comes down to it you may have everything in common except for the crucial thing which I think should be at the top of every potential boy/girlfriend checklist: knowing Jesus Christ. If you are a Christian then you know that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and when you die you’re going to heaven… can you say that for the person you fancy? So, maybe it turns out you aren’t that compatible after all: you’re a follower of Christ, they aren’t.

This is something I’ve struggled with a lot myself but at the end of the day I know I’ll pick God over any earthly relationship with someone who doesn’t know His great love and maybe never will. For anyone going through this temptation (and it can be a terrible temptation) I’ll say this: don’t let it come between you and God, instead pray about it and ask Him to help you overcome anything in your life that may be hindering your relationship with Him. If there is someone in your church like an older person you trust or a youth leader then it can really help to talk to then about it because remember they were young once too and chances are they’ve gone through it as well! And don’t feel you’re going through it alone, there are plenty more of us who care more about God that a meaningless relationship with someone that will only hurt our relationship with God.

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