Living for the Lord Single

God wants to give us a fulfilling life, Satan wants just the opposite. Some Christians feel their life will not be complete without a mate. This is Satan's lie. Single adults - whether never married, widowed, or divorced - are whole persons in themselves and God can use us in many ways to build His kingdom.

Over the last ten years I have spent much time in bible study concerning marriage, divorce, and marriage after divorce. Being divorced this seemed important information to me. Not wanting to be "single" the rest of my life; wanting a partner in my new life with Christ. I had a strong desire to know what God wanted for me and "of me" in the area of marriage particularly. I did not want to make the same errors of the past.

It wasn't until just a few days ago that He made it clear to me. I guess you could say I was "putting the cart before the horse". God wants me to be happy in my life as it is now, this is where He has put me, and to grow from that point - in His time! As a result the following are some tips I think might be helpful for the "Single Christian".

Tricks Satan will use against Single Christians
* Harassing them with discontent so they're not able to serve God joyfully.
* Attacking their chastity by luring them into unholy and unhealthy relationships.
* Trying to keep them from maintaining a pure and close relationship with the Lord.
* Filling their minds with fleshly thoughts.
* Convincing them that without a mate their lives are not complete.
* Attaching them any way possible so as they might believe life would be better with 2 - get real if you're having struggles while single you can rest assured you will when you're married too.

1 Corinthians 7:32-35 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

Truthfully - what is more important?
Serving the Lord at the same time we serve a wife or husband. Or, serving the Lord completely. Singleness can be a gift from God. Time spent otherwise can be concentrated on the work and learning of the Lord.

*No human can give you worth or value. Single people are complete so to prepare for marriage become the mightiest single person you can be for Jesus!
Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

*Marriage is not God's ultimate will for your life, it's to be like Jesus.
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

*Your singleness is a state of choice. You could have married someone without the high standards of a Christian but you haven't. You have chosen to wait on the Lord rather than to lower your standards.
2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

A few Scriptures to Keep in Mind:

Proverbs 19:21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Psalm 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Psalm 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Philippians 4:12-13 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you that I am complete in you. Thank you that you are molding me into your image. Thank you for your mercy and grace that enable me to keep myself pure. My desire is to please you more than anyone; help me to do that, Father. Help me to be happy and joyful right where you have me. Help me to walk in your ways and be willing to wait for your timing in everything I do. If a mate is in your plans for me, send that one you have created just for me, in Your image, striving to be like Jesus. If not, may I know that whatever you have planned for me is better than what I could come up with for myself. If there are relationships in my life that you want me to end, please show me these clearly and give me the strength to do your will. Help me to walk in victory, with my life showing the fruits of the Holy Spirit. I want your purposes to be fulfilled in me. You Father are the potter and I am the clay, please mold me into what you would have me be,
in Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Update: Originally published by Faith Alice, November 10, 2001
It has been nearly nice years since I wrote this. It was originally published on my personal web site ByFaithOnly.com. I am still single but honestly have come to realize I like me, like my time alone with God, and trust that when My Father feels I am ready or He is ready for me to have a mate that special person will come into my life.