Dating someone who is married goes against God’s design for relationships. The Bible calls us to honor marriage and avoid actions that cause harm. Today, we’ll explore what scripture says about this and how to make godly choices.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Dating
What Does The Bible Say About Dating A Married Man
1 Corinthians 7:2
But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.
This verse emphasizes the importance of marital fidelity and condemns sexual immorality. It encourages individuals to fulfill their sexual desires within the confines of a committed marriage.
Proverbs 5:15-18
Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
This passage warns against seeking sexual pleasure outside of marriage, urging individuals to cherish and be satisfied with their spouse alone. It encourages fidelity and finding joy in the lifelong partnership of marriage.
Exodus 20:14
You shall not commit adultery.
This commandment from God explicitly prohibits engaging in sexual relationships with someone who is married to another. It reinforces the sanctity of marriage and the importance of faithfulness.
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
This verse calls for honoring and respecting marriage, including keeping one’s sexual activities confined within the sacred covenant of marriage. It serves as a reminder that God will hold those who engage in adultery or sexual immorality accountable.
Genesis 2:24
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
This verse describes God’s design for marriage, where a man and woman come together as one in a lifelong commitment. It shows that marriage is a sacred union, not to be violated by engaging in extramarital relationships.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.
This passage emphasizes the importance of living a life of sexual purity, abstaining from any form of sexual immorality. It encourages believers to maintain self-control and honor God in their thoughts, desires, and actions.
Matthew 19:6
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.
This verse reaffirms the permanent and indissoluble nature of marriage once it is established by God. It emphasizes the sacredness of the marital bond and advises against any attempts to break that union, including through extramarital relationships.
Proverbs 6:32-33
But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away.
This passage highlights the severe consequences of committing adultery. It warns that those who engage in such behavior not only bring harm upon themselves but also forfeit their honor and dignity, with lasting shame as a result.
1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
Here, Christians are urged to actively avoid and distance themselves from any form of sexual immorality. It emphasizes that such sins have a unique impact on one’s own body and should be considered with grave seriousness.
Proverbs 28:13
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
This verse encourages transparency and confession of wrongdoing. It teaches that genuine repentance and renouncing sinful actions lead to finding mercy and forgiveness from God.
James 4:17
Anyone, then, who knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
This verse highlights the importance of acting in accordance with one’s knowledge of what is right. It implies that intentionally engaging in an affair with a married person, despite knowing it is wrong, constitutes a sin.
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
This verse encourages believers to reject and distance themselves from immoral desires, instead striving to follow the path of righteousness, faith, love, and peace. It encourages seeking fellowship with others who share the same commitment to purity.
Ephesians 5:3
But among you, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed because these are improper for God’s holy people.
This verse sets a high standard for believers, calling them to live lives of holiness and purity. It specifically forbids any forms of sexual immorality, including engaging in relationships with married individuals.
Proverbs 2:16-17
Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words, who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.
This passage highlights the dangers of being involved with someone who has abandoned their own marital commitment and disregarded the sacred covenant made before God. It encourages seeking wisdom to avoid falling into such entanglements.
Galatians 5:16-17
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other so that you are not to do whatever you want.
This verse reminds believers of the ongoing battle between the desires of the flesh and the leading of the Holy Spirit. It encourages relying on the Spirit’s guidance to resist gratifying fleshly desires, including engaging in inappropriate relationships.
Proverbs 7:6-27
At the window of my house, I looked down through the lattice. I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense. He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home; now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks. She took hold of him and kissed him, and with a brazen face she said: “Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home. So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.” With persuasive words, she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. All at once, he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.
This lengthy passage serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the seductive allure of an adulterous woman. It depicts the destructive consequences of succumbing to this temptation and urges young men to avoid such enticements for the sake of their own well-being.
Romans 13:14
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
This verse encourages believers to align their thoughts, actions, and desires with Christ, rather than indulging in fleshly desires. It serves as a reminder to prioritize purity and righteousness over temporary gratification.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
This verse offers comfort and assurance to believers facing various temptations, including the temptation to engage in sinful relationships. It reminds them that God’s faithfulness provides a means to resist temptation and find strength in difficult situations.
Colossians 3:5
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
This verse calls believers to actively eliminate and reject any behaviors or desires associated with their old sinful nature. It specifically mentions sexual immorality and urges believers to prioritize holiness and purity.
Matthew 5:27-28
You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
This teaching of Jesus goes beyond the physical act of adultery and addresses the importance of purity in one’s thoughts and intentions. It emphasizes the need to guard one’s heart against lustful desires that could lead to sinful actions.
Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
This passage highlights the principle of reaping what one sows. It warns against deceit and disregarding God’s commands, reminding believers that their choices and actions have consequences that can either lead to destruction or eternal life.
1 Peter 5:8
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
This verse urges believers to remain vigilant and clear-minded, recognizing the presence of spiritual warfare. It emphasizes the need to guard against the temptations and schemes of the devil, including those that may lead to immoral relationships.