Great Question! Based on what you’ve mentioned, it sounds like your friends are not being truthful to one another and to their friends. The Bible nowhere presents an instance where lying is considered to be the right thing to do. The ninth commandment prohibits bearing false witness (Exodus 20:16). Proverbs 6:16-19 lists “a lying tongue” and “a false witness who pours out lies” as two of the seven abominations to the Lord. Love “rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). For other Scriptures that speak negatively of lying, see Psalm 119:29, 163; 120:2; Proverbs 12:22; 13:5; Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9; and Revelation 21:8. There are many examples of liars in Scripture, from Jacob’s deceit in Genesis 27 to the pretense of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. Time after time, we see that falsehood leads to misery, loss, and judgment. This demonstrates how we are to conduct ourselves as children of God.
Christian ethics and how to make decisions in life is well summarized by Colossians 3:1-6, 9-10:
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming… Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”Remember that it is not appropriate to be involved in multiple Christian dating relationships because the whole process inevitably will involve more lies and deceit to cover up past deeds. There will be hurt, humiliation, embarrassment, and heartbreak when the eventual break-up takes place. We are commanded as followers of Christ to love one another as Christians [1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:7; Luke 6:31], love our neighbor as ourselves [Mark 12:31] and not to bring pain to one another [Romans 13:10]. James 5:12 tells us that, “Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.”
Dating is not a game and neither are people's hearts and feelings. Let’s learn to honor, respect and value one other [1 Corinthians 13:4-8]. Let's learn to be Godly, truthful and moral in the way we relate to the opposite sex. Let's always remember to stick to our Christian fundamental beliefs and values especially when it comes to dating and how we live our lives!
If your friends would like to learn more about dating and courtship, the following link may be of interest to them: What does the Bible say about dating / courting? http://www.gotquestions.org/dating-courting.html
HOPE THIS WAS HELPFUL! THANKS FOR ASKING!
[Answered by Ray Lee, Summer Intern]
