Check to see if your relationship has the characteristics of those in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Do you see patience, kindness, protection, trust, perseverance, hope and love in your current relationship? If not - Note this RED FLAG and RUN. The probability of change is very low - especially if you constantly talk about the LACK of these attributes very often.

So. . . stop settling down with one person so quickly. There is Nothing Wrong with Dating. Meet People. Check their Characteristics. Take the one you may be interested in before God and start your relationship on his FOUNDATION.

Don't Just Look For Beauty, Wealth or Status. Check your Companion's Heart!

1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart..

If there is one piece of advice that can be beneficial to your new or prospective relationship is this. Check your lover's HEART. Don't just look at the outside. Check their motives. See if they really love you or just want to USE YOU. Be very careful.

Is Your Love Action Oriented?

Tell yourself that if your special friend doesn't do things to show his or her love NOW - they probably won't in the future. It shouldn't just be "I love you Baby" all the time. Sometimes it can be a hand written letter or a home cooked snack or meal. If you are a bit older and your budget can handle it, buy a perfume or some flowers for her. Buy a nice shirt or something that you know he likes. Prove your love.

This goes both ways! Males and Females alike.

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with ACTIONS and in truth.
      I John 3:18 (NIV)

Is Your Partner Too Pushy for Sex Before Marriage?

If this is the case, be very careful. Love certainly isn't Sex and Sex isn't Love.

Sex was planned for Marriage! It's not because God wants unmarried folks to suffer and miss out on the FUN and EXCITEMENT, but he knew that when people disobeyed -

* Un-planned Pregnancies would lead to too many Fathers to Be and Mothers to be committing MURDER through Abortion

* Some single mothers would be left to work for their child ALONE because there would be heartless fathers who would never support their children

* Sexually Transmitted Diseases would ruin lives

* Boys/Men would leave their so-called lover and deny the child is theirs, ruining a relationship that you thought was LOVE.

So. . . If your lover is too pushy for Sex before Marriage - RUN THEM! DRIVE THEM AWAY!

II Timothy 2:22 says to "Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts."