Advice: The Single Christian
 

I'm curious... how do single Christians contend with the day to day struggles of being single. The areas I can identify are:

loneliness
fighting temptation
masturbation
pornography

How do single Christians overcome loneliness?

How does a single Christian find a healthy single sexuality in Christ? Is there such a thing?

What are some of your thoughts?

Re: Advice: The Single Christian
 

Been married what seems to be all my life. Sorry, can't help you here brother.

Re: Advice: The Single Christian
 

He has a fiance. Technically, hes not single.

Re: Advice: The Single Christian
 

My wife and I fell into sexual sin while dating, so we came to the point that we need to get married or breakup. Notice I said my wife!

Re: Advice: The Single Christian
 

True. I have a girl that I've been seeing. We're both divorcees and had considered marriage. We don't have a date planned or anything. Largely we started calling each other "fiance" because the terms "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" sounded silly at our age. But the more and more I think about it... the more and more I don't think I want to remarry. Yes, this could be a deal breaker on her side, and understandably so. I don't like the drama of relationships. I like being able to do what I enjoy. I like a nice quiet home. I like to read and study my Bible for hours on end if I want to. I like the quiet times of prayer. I'm finding myself increasingly unhappy.

So... I'm curious. How do those Christians who have chosen a single lifestyle cope with the issues I listed above?

loneliness
fighting temptation
masturbation
pornography

How do single Christians overcome loneliness?

How does a single Christian find a healthy single sexuality in Christ? Is there such a thing?

I ask this from deep down in my heart because not only would these be issues I'd admittedly face... but certainly these are issues that every single Christian might face.

So I need some of your thoughts.

Thanks,

Chris

Re: Advice: The Single Christian
 

I'm a single christian male. I've fallen into all the four items you listed. I've even fallen into sexual sin. It most often happens when im not fully emersed in the WORD and prayer! Or when a doubt creeps on my mind (after deep discussions with aiethists). Singlehood is a beautiful thing but remember the old serpent is looking for every chance to sneak up on you. Keep Christ close and want to be more like Him every single second! God bless!

Re: Advice: The Single Christian
 

I'm single(female).

I think a common misconception with singles is that loneliness and lust are the only struggles a single has to deal with. This misunderstanding causes huge problems in ministering to singles and one of the reasons why the church has such issues with retaining singles.

I talk much right now, but I will come back later to elaborate.

Re: Advice: The Single Christian
 

Praise God! Awesome post.

Is there such a thing, in your opinion, of a "single sexuality" for the single Christian?

How do single Christians manage their personal needs???

Re: Advice: The Single Christian
 

You find three close (single) friends and all put $50 bucks in a pot and vow not to do "it". Then the last one to give in will be labeled "Master of his own Domain" and win the $200.

Re: Advice: The Single Christian
 

Yes, any of us can face being single at any time in our life.

I was single for 4 years after my divorce from my first husband. I would go to church and see what I thought were happy families...then watch them go home for their own fellowship while I went home to an empty dwelling place. As a young female at that time, I had many instances where temptations were very powerful. But I found that one pearl (Christ) meant more to me than all the temptations.

So....what does one do about loneliness, which was what I faced daily. I found places to go, friends to pass the time with. I was still very young and wanted a family of my own. So I asked God that if it was His blessings to send a mate to me. Sounds corny right? But I got specific and it wasn't too very long that the perfect mate came into my life....right to my specifications. Looks and money were not part of the specifications, but rather love for Christ, temperment, patience, in other words, fruit of the Spirit were more the specifications than the worldy things. We are well into our 29th year together now. He just kind of came into my life. I did not have to go looking. :)

God is not without feeling, nor does he dismiss our feelings when we are sincere. Don't be afraid to tell him about yourself and how you feel. You will find that He does understand. Don't be afraid of marriage, whether secular or Quaker unless you just feel you might not actually get along.

Whatever the case, talking to God will net you some real results about this dilemma.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

(I Peter 5:7)