As young people begin to date, no one seems to take it seriously. They do not think about who the person they are dating might marry someday. I know a pastor who has his wife's high school boyfriend in his congregation.

Sometimes the pastor says from the pulpit, "Someone here used to date my wife!" That might sound kind of wild, but it is true. The person you date will be someone's wife or husband someday.

Treat him or her like you want your future spouse to be treated.

The Bible says in 1 Timothy 5:2 that we should treat the younger women in the church (your youth group) as sisters with absolute purity.

How would you treat your sister? It is pretty sick to think about anything but a pure relationship with your own sister.

You and your sister in your youth group have the same Father. He sees everything you do. How would you feel if you had a daughter and you found out that someone was fooling around with her? What would you want to do to him?

Imagine how your Heavenly Father would feel if you were fooling around with your own sister. How do you think He feels when someone is fooling around with His daughter?

Source: Quit Play With Fire by Ron Luce.
Excerpt permission granted by Teen Mania Ministries