Singleness is a complex topic that the Bible addresses in various ways. As Christians, we’re called to find our identity in Christ above all else. Whether married or single, He desires for us to glorify Him with our lives.
This blog post will explore biblical principles and perspectives on singleness to encourage and equip single Christian women. We’ll look at both the challenges and opportunities of this season of life. My prayer is that it would deepen your relationship with God and understanding of His Word.
Introduction
In today’s culture, there’s often pressure to get married and start a family. Yet many Christian women find themselves single well into adulthood. Some are widowed, divorced or have yet to find a spouse. Others have chosen celibacy or singleness to better serve the Lord.
Whatever your situation, singleness is a complex topic addressed throughout Scripture. The Bible affirms both singleness and marriage as honorable callings. Neither state is universally “better”-God calls some to marriage and others to singleness for His glory.
As Christian singles, we should seek fulfillment in Christ above all. Our relationship status does not define our worth or purpose. God cares deeply for each of His children, desiring our holiness and close walk with Him.
No matter what season of life we’re in, these key principles apply:
Key Takeaways
- Our identity is found in Christ alone
- Singleness and marriage are both honorable callings
- Intimacy with God should be our priority
- Trust God’s plan for your future
- Use your freedom to serve God wholeheartedly
- Build a community of godly friendships
- Wait patiently on the Lord for guidance and provision
Let’s explore what Scripture reveals about singleness, its challenges and blessings. My prayer is this post would encourage you to find hope, purpose and identity in Christ alone.
Singleness as a Gift
For some, singleness is a temporary season while others remain unmarried their whole lives. Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 7, affirming singleness as a gift and honorable calling:
“I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am.” (1 Corinthians 7:7-8 NKJV)
Paul recognizes that not everyone is called to marriage. Some remain single to better serve the Lord without divided interests:
“An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided.” (1 Corinthians 7:32-34 NKJV)
Singleness enables greater freedom and availability for God’s work. Those without spouses can more fully devote themselves to prayer, ministry and “the things of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:35 NKJV).
Of course, not everyone is given the gift of celibacy. Those who burn with passion should pursue marriage to avoid sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 7:8-9). Both singleness and marriage are honorable callings if embraced for God’s glory.
The Family of God
For single Christians, it’s vital we don’t neglect gathering with God’s people. The church community provides fellowship, encouragement and spiritual growth:
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV)
In the absence of biological family, singles should invest in their spiritual family. Surround yourself with brothers and sisters-in-Christ who will lift you up. Guard against isolation by building godly friendships within the Body of Christ.
Living Wholeheartedly for Christ
Singleness provides unique opportunities to pursue God with greater freedom. Paul recognized this, encouraging unmarried believers to use their singleness for undivided devotion to the Lord:
An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. (1 Corinthians 7:34 NKJV)
As singles, good stewardship of our time and resources directly impacts our spiritual growth. We have more opportunity for prayer, Scripture study and service. Without the demands of a spouse or kids, we can fully leverage our gifts to serve Christ.
Of course, busyness for God is no substitute for intimacy with Him. Make time alone with God your highest priority. Only through abiding in Christ will you find true contentment, identity and purpose whether single or married.
Trusting God’s Plan
For many singles, the hardest part is not knowing what the future holds. You may long to be married or feel your biological clock ticking. At times, it may seem God’s promises will never come to pass.
Waiting on the Lord requires faith and patience:
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14 NKJV)
Rather than trying to orchestrate your future, rest in the sufficiency of Christ. Surrender your singleness to Him, trusting that He knows what’s best for you. God promises to complete the work He’s begun in our lives (Philippians 1:6). Remain faithful in the present while trusting Him with the future.
Guard Against Temptation
Loneliness and sexual temptation are real struggles faced by many singles. Without the God-given outlet of marriage, singleness can make resisting sexual immorality especially challenging.
Paul warns us to exercise self-control and flee from sexual sin:
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18 NKJV)
Don’t underestimate the power of temptation. Take practical steps to guard your mind and body. Set boundaries with the opposite sex and consume media thoughtfully. Most importantly, immerse yourself in God’s Word and pursue intimacy with Him. Only He can satisfy the longings of our hearts.
Finding Contentment
One of the greatest challenges of singleness is embracing contentment. With so much emphasis on marriage and family, it’s easy to feel discontent. Yet comparison breeds discontentment. Remember that singleness is only a season – not your identity.
Paul emphasizes the secret of contentment:
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4:11-12 NKJV)
Like Paul, we can learn contentment in every circumstance by finding our satisfaction in Christ. He alone can meet our deepest needs for intimacy, purpose and belonging.
Serving with Freedom
While singleness has challenges, it also provides unique opportunities to serve God. Unmarried adults often have more discretionary time, flexibility and financial margin.
Paul encourages singles to leverage their freedom for undistracted devotion to the Lord’s work:
I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. (1 Corinthians 7:32-34 NKJV)
Evaluate how to steward your singleness for God’s glory. Consider serving in your local church, volunteering with a ministry or going on mission trips. Be open to how God may use you in this season!
Waiting Well
Waiting on God’s timing for marriage requires patience and faith. During long seasons of waiting, how can Christian singles persevere?
Pursuing intimacy with Christ is key. The more we know Him, the more we trust His perfect plan and timing:
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! (Isaiah 30:18 NKJV)
Rather than trying to rush God’s plan, rest in His unfailing love. Avoid impatience and complaining which only lead to discontent. Singleness is a gift, even when it feels long and lonely. Commit each day to faithful obedience while waiting expectantly on Him.
The Blessing of Community
Loneliness is one of the greatest challenges for Christian singles. God created us for meaningful connection-first with Himself and also with others. Singles should make developing community a priority.
The local church provides a vital context for fellowship, discipleship and service. Investing in ministry friendships helps guard against isolation. Groups tailored for singles can provide encouragement through shared experiences.
Beyond the church, pursue friendships with other believers. Do life together through regular prayer, accountability, fellowship and service. God often uses Christian community to strengthen and sustain us in seasons of waiting.
Identity in Christ
Our relationship status never defines us. Married or single, what matters most is identity in Christ:
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-28 NKJV)
In Christ, we are dearly loved children of God. We each have a unique calling and purpose. Jesus paid the ultimate price so we could be reconciled to God and adopted into His family.
If you’re single, rest confidently in who you are in Christ. You are complete in Him. He promises to be the bridegroom and husband to the forsaken and deserted (Isaiah 54:5-6). Whether your future includes marriage or not, you have fullness of life in your forever relationship with Jesus.
Chosen and Called
To close, I want to remind you that God chose you and called you even before creation:
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. (Ephesians 1:4 NKJV)
If you’re single, don’t view this season as insignificant. Instead, leverage it for radical obedience to Christ. Build intimate friendships that spur you on in godliness. Pour yourself into kingdom work without distraction. Find your deepest satisfaction in Jesus alone.
While marriage is a beautiful gift, it’s not the secret to fulfillment. An unmarried woman is just as dearly loved and complete in Christ. Whether you marry or remain single, God has purposed this season to refine and mold you for His glory. Trust in His perfect plan for your life.
My prayer is this post encouraged you to find hope, identity and purpose in Christ alone. May you embrace His calling for your life, staying faithful in the present while trusting Him with the future. Jesus is enough – now and always.
