Looking to Find True Love? Consider Following These 10 Essential Dating Rules

Are you curious about what it takes to find love? Well, despite love not being on everyone’s radar, it’s what most people want out of life: a family of their own with someone to love forever. If you’re Christ-driven, that likely means you’re looking for your rib, like Adam and Eve. 

The definition of love is an intense feeling of deep affection. Many times, people confuse love with lust, a strong sexual desire. Attracted to your partner based on looks but not knowing who they are. Every person should set healthy boundaries when dealing with another. When dating each person, ask yourself if you could see yourself changing their dirty underwear, wiping their nose, or even holding their hand in public.

Have a clear, open mind. Once the lust feeling is gone, you might find yourself deep in a relationship, looking at the person for who they are, wondering if this is something that can last forever because even their breathing works your nerves. Here are 10 dating rules to remember when searching for the love of your life.

1. Keep God First

One of the first dating rules on this list is putting God first. Pray about and over your partner, and be specific. Sometimes, God has already sent what you are looking for to you.

In the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (New International Version), it says:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

If love does not feel like this, then it is not love. Arguments and anger should be nonexistent for the most part. You want to see your partner at their best at all times.

2. Know Yourself

Knowing who you are is very important before you can get to know another person. Solitude is your friend. It gives you time to learn who you are — your likes and dislikes. Figure out how you can communicate to yourself through your love language. So, you automatically know what makes you happy in a relationship.

The five love languages are:

• Words of affirmation
• Quality time
• Physical touch
• Acts of service
• Receiving gifts

3. Know Your Boundaries

Learning who you are as an individual will help you know your boundaries. You must set the tone early in the relationship. Establish and make it clear what you are looking for, what you’ll accept and what you will not. Don’t let anything slide because the first red flag you accept will always lead to another trying to slide in.

4. Live With Purpose

Knowing what you want out of life makes it much more fun and accessible. Knowing your purpose can help you navigate the path you are on so there is no confusion with your partner. You start looking for someone who can help you fulfill those goals, making the conversation go from “I” to “We.”

5. Be Proactive

Get things done. Don’t just be a talker. Put some action behind what you are saying. If you want that dream life, create it. You want a wife or husband to show up and play your role to show you deserve that title.  Support your partner. Do the things you say you will do, and do them with love.

6. Expand Your Dating Options

It’s okay to look for love on dating sites, social media or even in church. Get out of the house because love will not find you there. Whatever type of partner you are looking for will be found doing the things that interest them. For example, if you want someone to fit, you start getting fit yourself and you may find your partner in a gym or at a park while working out.

7. Prioritize Communication

It’s best to listen to understand instead of responding. Be honest with no hidden agendas. Communication can lead to a better understanding of what you want. When you speak, speak gently and with care.

8. Be Willing to Sacrifice

Love requires sacrifice. If you want to be selfish, just date yourself. You have to be willing to give in order to receive. Sometimes, one person may have to make a hard choice of sacrificing something only they love so that something you both love can be happy.

9. Maintain a Strong Friendship

Know your partner. What they like and what they don’t. Favorite things to do, eat or watch. Laugh together. How much money do they like to spend? Knowing your partner as a friend first makes it a better relationship to have as a couple. Otherwise, you’ll be finding out who someone is months in.

10. Never Stop Dating

Never stop dating your partner is something else to consistency remember out of the dating rules from this list. The little things, such as flowers, trips and intimacy, keep the heat going. You have to keep your partner attracted to you just like you did when you first met.