One mark of a mature believer is that he or she is not easily sucked into new romantic flames. Some have arguments justifying why it's okay to go out with a certain person.

The fact is, most of our brain is so foggy from our hormones that we don't really know what is going on. We think it is real love, but it's really just hormones going crazy because someone gave us a look or had a sparkle in his or her eye.

A mature believer sees past all that because he or she can see that the world has painted a picture in the minds of guys and girls, making them feel like they need to have each other, or they're just a loser. They feel like they must not be normal if they are not attached to someone of the opposite sex.

The Bible says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Prov. 4:23).

A mature believer realizes that it might look fun, cool, and romantic. But getting involved in a relationship that's not a solid, mature, wholesome, godly romance can be letting your heart ultimately get infected by another person's heart who doesn't know the Lord or who isn't very close to the Lord.

You need to understand that I am for relationships, and I think romance is great. My wife and I have a great romance, which is the result of a wholesome friendship.

Singles all over the country are learning how to court instead of getting emotionally sucked into infatuation relationships where the heart gets broken again and again and again.

Mature believers can see right through it when someone comes on to them. They are not impressed with muscles, money, cars, or popularity. They are only impressed with godliness, with fervor for God, with character in their life.

Mature believers are only impressed with how much others have read the Bible lately, what God is doing with their life, and if they are really solid in the Lord. They don't want one of these hype-oriented Christians.

I want you to take Proverbs 4:23 and begin chew on it right now. Guard you heart. Take three minutes and meditate on it. Say it over and over again, until you're almost sick of it.

I know this touchs the core of most singles. They think, "Oh, we were doing great up to this point. We were growing in the Lord, and now you had to go bring this up. Why does it have to be so hard?"

Actually, it's not so hard; it's God protecting your heart from getting crushed again and again like the hearts of most people.

Make a commitment to the Lord that you want to see through all the worldly games. You want to become mature emotionally so you don't need to have a relationship with the opposite sex to feel secure or confident about who you are. You get your confidence from God himself.

Source: Mature Christians Are Boring People...
And Other Myths About Maturity In Christ

by Ron Luce.
Excerpt permission granted by Albury Publishing