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Biblical teaching would inform Christians that dating an unbeliever is unwise and spiritually challenging, especially if the goal of dating is to discern marriage. The main Biblical principle often cited is 2 Corinthians 6:14: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” While that passage is broader than dating, it strongly applies to relationships that involve deep partnership, shared values, and future family life.

The image of being yoked together is drawn from farming. A yoke was a wooden beam placed over two animals so they could pull a plough together. If two animals were mismatched—such as an ox and a donkey—they would pull at different strengths, speeds, and directions. The result would be strain, frustration, and ineffective work.

So when Paul says, “Do not be unequally yoked,” he is warning Christians not to enter binding partnerships where their deepest commitments are pulling in opposite directions.

In context, Paul is speaking broadly about spiritual compromise. He questions whether there can be harmony between a series of contrasts, like righteousness vs. lawlessness, light vs. darkness and believers vs. unbelievers.

His point is not that Christians should avoid all contact with unbelievers. That would contradict the rest of the New Testament, where Christians are called to love neighbours, share the gospel, work honestly, and live peaceably among others. Paul himself says elsewhere that believers cannot separate from unbelievers in ordinary life.

Rather, the warning is about deep spiritual union—relationships or partnerships that shape your worship, values, identity, decisions, and future direction.

That is why many Christians apply this verse to dating and marriage. Marriage is not just companionship; it is a lifelong covenant. If one person is trying to build life around Christ and the other is not, the relationship can become a spiritual tug-of-war.

For dating, the principle is this: if dating is moving toward marriage, then a Christian should ask whether this relationship is forming a shared life under Christ or creating divided loyalties.

Again, this verse does not mean unbelievers are inferior, untouchable, or unworthy of love. It means Christians are called to guard their deepest commitments and not bind themselves in a way that compromises faithfulness to God.

A balanced way to think about it woul be:

  • If you are serious about following Christ, your closest relationship should help you grow in faith, not pull you away from it.
  • Dating usually moves toward marriage, and marriage involves shared priorities, worship, parenting, ethics, money, community, and life direction.
  • Evangelistic dating—dating someone hoping they will convert—is usually not wise, because it can put emotional pressure on both people and blur spiritual discernment.
  • Kindness and friendship are different from romantic commitment. Christians are called to love unbelievers, but that does not mean every relationship is wise to pursue romantically.

So my short answer is: a Christian should be very cautious and generally should not date an unbeliever if they are pursuing a relationship with marriage in view. If you already have feelings for someone, it may be worth praying, seeking counsel from mature Christians, and being honest about whether the relationship is drawing you closer to or further from Christ.