Answers to "Ask Mike" Questions
Follow-Up to Question #20

20a. If I date someone that is black and it tears my family apart, is that against the Bible?

The answer to this question is rather simple. It depends on two things.

(1) How old are you? If you are a young person (teenager) living at home, the Apostle Paul says, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord..." (Ephesians 6:1a KJV) That is rather clear. Of course that doesn't mean you obey them should they ask you to do something sinful, but it means you should obey them even if you disagree. You may question their motives, but parents usually have their children's best interests at heart. The racial or ethnic background or any other reason of a person you are seeing makes no difference. Obey your parents.

(2) If you are older and on your own, then you are still obligated to listen to your parents' advice and concern. You should value that highly.  Should you choose to continue a relationship they do not approve, you must be willing to accept whatever consequences come of it. Then it depends on which relationship you value more highly - your family or your friend.

By the way, the manner in which you handle this demonstrates your maturity. If you demand your own way, you are not demonstrating the spirit of Christ. If you belligerently refuse to consider the counsel of others, even if that counsel is erroneous or misguided, you demonstrate an unloving spirit.

Perhaps it would be better to break off a dating relationship but retain a friendship. One does not have to date a person to be a friend.  [See also Mike's answer to Question #20: Is there a place in the Bible that speaks against people of different races dating and-or marrying? - Editor]

Question #20: Is there a place in the Bible that speaks against people of different races dating and-or marrying?

Question #39: What does God think about dating those of different religions?

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