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?
Excerpt permission granted by Teen Mania Ministries
Ron Luce was the co-founder and president of Teen Mania Ministries from 1986-2015. Ron and his wife Katie dreamed to raise young people who would change the world.
Ron received his bachelor's degree in Psychology and Theology from Oral Roberts University and his master's in Counseling Psychology from the University of Tulsa, along with an honorary doctorate from Jerry Falwell of Liberty University. He is a sought-after speaker who has traveled to more than 60 countries and has made numerous media appearances, such as Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family radio broadcast, CNN, The O'Reilly Factor, ABC Nightline, The 700 Club, Trinity Broadcasting Network, and the Sean Hannity Show. Ron has also written 35 books for teens, youth pastors, and parents and continues to speak at leaders' conferences helping parents and pastors understand the plight of today's youth and showing them how all of us can be part of the solution.
Ron and Katie currently live in Garden Valley, Texas, with their son Cameron. They have two daughters, Hannah and Charity.