With the phenomenon of dating taking the world by storm, more and more singles are heading to the web in search of that special someone…and a lot of these online singles just happen to be Christians.  If you are a Christian, the internet can be a great venue for maximizing your dating opportunities and sharing a romantic connection with a fellow Christian, however, it is also a place that can distract you from your Christian values and morals…

In order to have a successful and fun online dating experience as a Christian, be sure to check out the following tips for upholding your online reputation that is sure to bless you in love and make the Lord proud: 

Understand how God feels about dating.  While the word ‘dating’ isn’t found in the Bible, God does teach respect, purity, and abstaining from sex until marriage.  So if you are a Christian believing these teachings to be true and are using the internet to pursue someone else of the Christian faith, it is best to honor the word of God.  By researching these topics before going online, you can understand how to embrace dating with God’s plan for us to join as one with a partner spiritually, emotionally and sexually after marriage. 

Only share Christian content.  When posting information on your online dating profile or interacting with online singles, make sure that you go about it in a way that reflects your Christianity.  A quick way to turn a Christian prospect running in the other direction is through engaging in the following online mistakes:

• Posting inappropriate photos or information
• Sharing material related to drinking or using drugs
• Using foul language
• Bad-mouthing others/making discriminatory comments

Be honest.  One of the most important keys to a successful dating experience and a successful relationship is honesty…and it is even more important in the world of cyber dating.  Because of the anonymity provided by the internet, it can be easy and even tempting to stretch the truth—but stretch it you mustn’t.  To make a true connection with someone, make sure that you are completely honest with getting to know that person.  If you have to lie about things such as your appearance, job, or education so that someone will like you, then they are not the right one for you.  Remember that the truth will come out eventually and if you start a relationship with a lie, don’t expect for that relationship to last. 

Don’t give out too much info.  Not only must you be mindful of the type of information you disclose online, but it is also important to be mindful of not disclosing too much.  No matter what your religious beliefs or purpose for online dating, safety should always be the number one priority.  To avoid meeting people on the internet who don’t have the right intentions, never give out the following personally identifying material too soon:

• Last name
• Home address
• Place of employment
• Phone number
• Financial details

Set boundaries for meeting.  Should you strike a connection with a fellow Christian single through an online dating site and the time comes to meet in person, make sure that you set boundaries not only to protect your Christian reputation, but also to protect your safety.  To build a relationship that honors God, remember to refrain from crossing physical lines by avoiding any situation that would encourage sexual or promiscuous activity.  Now check out these first date safety tips:

• Use your own transportation to meet in a crowded, public place.
• Consider planning a group date—this is not only safe, but it will also take off some of the pressure and make getting to know each other more comfortable.
• If it’s just you and your date, it’s a good idea to let a friend or family member know where you are going and who you are going with.
• Always keep an eye on your possessions—never leave drinks, wallets, phones, or purses unattended.
• Be aware of what’s going on around you—should you feel uncomfortable at any point during your date, listen to your gut and don’t hesitate to call it quits early. 

Cindy McDonald is a guest post author who shares with us tips for upholding your online reputation as a Christian while dating online.  In addition to guest posting, Cindy also owns Christian dating sites where she educates Christian singles about safe internet dating.