7 Things Christian Women Do Differently When Dating

With clarity and conviction, Stella Cereus unpacks the spiritual foundations that shape Christian women’s approach to love. Along the same path, Finding God Every Day by Rebecca Simon explores Christ-centered relationships and spiritual growth.

When the Israelites were on a 40-year journey through the desert wilderness, God provided food (manna) for them. Not only is this a historical event, it is also a symbol of God’s promise to provide for believers. Today, “manna” is synonymous with sustenance received after a period of deprivation.

Nowhere is the well drier than for those looking to quench their thirst for love in the barren landscape of modern dating. Christian women provide nourishment for men who have hurt their hearts trying to find love in this broken system. Of course, you’ve got to be a Godly man to earn a Christian woman’s trust and open her heart to romantic love, but that’s another topic altogether.

Here are the rare qualities Christian women possess that set them (far, far) apart from the cultural norm in dating:

1. They embrace being humble.

What gets lost in the “what do you bring to the table?” discourse is that we are all fallible human beings hoping to love each other despite our shortcomings. The Bible teaches us that we are all sinners and that we are all redeemed through Christ. If God is at the center of your life, you don’t have to pretend to be perfect and you can form more authentic relationships because they are built on honesty. When you cultivate a mutual dynamic of repenting for your sins and trying to do better, dating won’t feel like a competition about who “deserves” more.

2. They prioritize family life.

Of course this is a good attribute for men who hope to start a family one day, but it’s also important in the dating stage. Prioritizing family means that you have a network of people who love you to receive wisdom from. It means you have similar ideas about how you’ll spend your free time and what’s really important to you in life. It also sets a standard to not get so busy that you neglect your relationship. Putting family first means you guard the quality of your close relationships and tend to this garden before planting more seeds elsewhere.

3. They radiate kindness.

Modern dating has necessarily made women suspicious of potential suitors, which can lead to them being aloof (at best) or bitter (at worst) towards men in general. Christian women base their lives on the teachings of Jesus – teachings like forgiveness and showing kindness to others – even strangers. No matter how many times she is hurt, a Christian woman does her best to love others and show them the kind of unfaltering love God gives to her.

4. They don’t trust worldly dating advice.

There is a lot of junk dating advice out there. Influencers instruct followers to act selfishly and treat their dates as disposable objects to be exploited. Christian women seek wisdom from the Bible and from trusted church leaders and Godly family members. This naturally protects them from falling for such selfish advice masquerading as “dating tips.”

5. She cares more about inner beauty than superficial appearances.

Nowhere in the Bible does it instruct women to chase tall men, or to date for money or to prioritize looks over personality in any way. Instead, the characteristics that are prized are a man who loves the Lord and possesses the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self-mastery. Similarly, Christian women aspire to be more than their looks, guided by the words of Proverbs 31:30: “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

6. They aren’t afraid to be tender-hearted.

Modern dating requires thick skin which in turn hardens the hearts of people who choose to date in this manner. Christian women are taught to stay gentle. The Bible praises women who are pure of heart, devote themselves to loving service, and use their words to build others up instead of tearing them down.

7. They’ll encourage your faith.

Let’s be honest, how many women encourage their partner’s spiritual growth? It’s hard for a woman to do this if she doesn’t even care about her own spiritual growth! Some women even view it as feminine or not manly to care about your relationship with God. A Christian woman, on the other hand, will demand that her partner invest in his spiritual life. She’ll even join in with him, praying together and sharing about her own faith walk.