DAILY TEXT, Monday, March 23, 2026. Seek not only your own interests, but also those of others (Phil. 2:4).

Let us examine the Scriptures every day 2026

Monday, March 23, 2026

Look after not only your own interests, but also the interests of others (Phil. 2:4).

How long should a courtship last? Hasty decisions often end badly (Prov. 21:5). So, take the time you need to get to know the other person well. But don't put things off unnecessarily either, for the Bible says that “expectations that are delayed make the heart sick” (Prov. 13:12). On the other hand, what can we do if we meet a couple who are dating? Perhaps invite them out, to a meal, or to our family worship (Rom. 12:13). If they need it, we can offer to accompany them, give them a ride somewhere, or invite them to our home so they can talk without being alone (Gal. 6:10). And if a couple asks us to accompany them? Let's see it as a wonderful opportunity to help them. Of course, we need to be observant to notice when they need us to give them time and space to talk about their things, but at the same time, not leave them completely alone. w24.05 30 paragraphs 13, 14

In what other ways can we help engaged couples? (Proverbs 12:18).

Another way to support engaged couples is by being careful about what we say. At times, we may need to restrain ourselves and say nothing (read Proverbs 12:18). For example, we may be excited about telling others that there is a new couple, but the couple may prefer to share the news themselves. We should not go around gossiping about them or criticizing them for personal matters (Prov. 20:19; Rom. 14:10; 1 Thess. 4:11). Nor should we make comments or ask questions that assume they are going to get married. A sister named Elise and her husband recall: “We felt very uncomfortable when people asked us about our wedding plans, even though we hadn’t even talked about it ourselves.”

What should we do if we find out that a couple has broken up?

What if a couple decides to break up? Let’s not try to find out why they separated or take sides (1 Pet. 4:15). A sister named Lea says: “I heard that people started speculating about why I broke up with my boyfriend, and that hurt me a lot.” As we saw earlier, if a couple ends their relationship, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the courtship failed. Usually, it means that the courtship served its purpose: It helped them make a good decision. But that doesn’t mean the decision isn’t painful and that it might make them feel alone, so let’s be ready to support them (Prov. 17:17).

What should the couple continue doing?

As we've seen, dating has its challenges, but it can also be a very beautiful time. Jessica recalls: “Honestly, dating required a lot of time and effort. But it was worth every second.” If you have a boyfriend or girlfriend, keep striving to get to know the person well. This way, you can have a successful relationship: one that leads both of you to a good decision.

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