You have probably heard of the phrase, “flirt to convert” before. It is huge in my area of Florida: Keywest High School. If you have not heard of it, this phrase refers to an act of flirting in order to “convince” an unsaved person to attend church and then convert them to your faith.
I was actually like this in middle school. I would compromise and then tell myself, “It’s okay if he’s not Christian, my love for Jesus will change him.” I didn’t realize I was like this until I began to dig deep into the word and truly seek God wholeheartedly. While digging deep into the bible, I realized that God truly is love, so, if the love of God isn’t in that certain someone, then how could I expect him to love me as Christ loves the church? That’s when 2 Corinthians 6:14 changed my life and I finally began taking Jesus seriously:
“Do not be yoked with unbelievers. For what does righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?”
Paul writes this to the church in Corinth and uses it as a metaphor for our relationships with others. A Christian’s relationship with unbelievers should be what’s necessary and appropriate for the purposes of daily life (social, economic, etc.) and to show people the way to salvation through Jesus Christ. In the situation of being unequally yoked, it’s usually the girl who tries to convert the boy or thinks that she can change him. But, in reality, the only one who makes it possible for someone to be saved is the Holy Spirit. John 6:44 says, “No one will come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up on the last day.”
My encouragement to you would be to wait upon the Lord. I know we’re young and it’s difficult to be surrounded by couples at school, but don’t settle for just anyone. God is preparing you and eventually, in God’s timing, you’ll meet that person Jesus has just for you. Someone who will love you as Christ loves the church. It’s time we said bye to “flirt and convert” and said hi to “be still and trust.” Jesus knows what he’s up to, and it’s greater than what we could ever imagine.
Written by:
Naylen Gonzalez
Campus Missionary
@naylen_gonzalez