Ladies, How Do You Know When A Man Really Loves You?

We've all seen the Facebook posts about relationships. First comes the infatuation stage - the flirtatious comments, the two-person selfies. Soon the relationship becomes "Facebook official." Sadly, the next step in many relationships these days seems to be sex, followed closely by pregnancy. Finally, the couple dissolves into a series of Facebook rants, the relationship is over and a young girl is stuck raising a child all by herself. She too often finds herself wondering, "Did he ever really love me?"

Good question. One that should be asked WAY BEFORE any physical intimacy takes place. So how DO women know if their current man in THE ONE?

Lady's, the first sign a guy loves you is NOT that he wants to have sex with you. That is simply a sign that he is thinking about himself . .  first. God wants men to think of themselves LAST. Men are supposed to sacrifice themselves for their spouses. They are not to seek their own gratification at the expense of others.

"25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her " - Ephesians 5:25

So how does a woman know when a man loves her? Here are a few signs to consider before making decisions that will effect the rest of your lives.

Patience. If a man really loves you they are willing to wait. Have you ever read the story of Jacob and Rachel? Read it. Exodus 29. Jacob loved Rachel so much we worked 14 years FOR FREE to finally receive her in marriage. How long is your man willing to wait?

Self-Sacrifice. We already read the verse from Ephesians about sacrifice. Is your man willing to die for you? He should be. Does he give you HIS coat when YOU are cold? Does he wait on you when you are sick? Would he give up watching the championship football game to go for a walk with the love of his life?

Humility. Is your potential husband proud of himself? Does he think he is God's gift to women? Then he is not for you! Any future mate should place others above himself. . . and you should be WAY up there on that list.

Godly. Is this man you are dating more in love with God than he is with you? He should be. If you can find a man like that you have truly found someone who is worthy. And if you can find such a man, who is devoted to God, he also should meet the following criteria in Galatians 5:22-23. Some of these I have mentioned already.

"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23

Are you currently living with someone before marriage? You shouldn't be. Are you having sex before marriage? You are defiling the Holy Spirit who lives within you . . . supposedly.

"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people." - Ephesians 5:3

The number one thing you can do to have a successful marriage and find the perfect mate for you is this. Place . . . God . . . First. In ALL things! And God will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). It is never too late to take a first step towards Christ. Jesus . . . HE is the godly man you have been seeking your entire life. No one else will come close. But try to find someone who is willing to try. Someone who is a follower of Christ. Not just in his words, but in his deeds as well.

Lead Me - Sanctus Real