1 Timothy 5:1-2 encourages believers to treat “younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” 

I think a good starting point for any believer (full stop) as well as those who desire to be married is to put ‘first things first’ and to ask themselves; “What is first place in my life, as a single person? Is God first place in my heart?” Proverbs 4:23 states, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” 1 Corinthhians 7 verse 32 to 34 encourages young, unmarried men and women, while being single, to be devoted to the Lord. Paul encourages you not to be pulled in diverging directions but to be wholly separated and set apart in body and spirit to the Lord.

The Bible is clear, from the beginning, that God never intended man to be alone. In Genesis 2 verse 18, 21 to 24 it says; 18 And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” 21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

While you go about your life, if you maintain the heart condition that Jesus is your first love, He is the devotion of your heart and you are committed to following after Him and trusting Him, the Holy Spirit will help you to discern whether the relationships that you have in your life are healthy or not. You can rely on the help of the Holy Spirit.

I would highly encourage you to go to a spiritual authority in your life, that you trust, whether that is a spiritual father, your pastor or a counsellor in your church, go to them for guidance and for accountability when making these big decisions in your life; especially when deciding whether you should marry a particular person.

This is not a ‘cookie-cutter answer’ or some kind of ‘magic formula’ that you can follow to ‘know that you’re marrying the right person.’ This is part of your step-by-step relationship with God and following His plan for your life. He has got great ‘gifts’ planned for you in your life, and all you need to do is trust Him, walk with Him and He will show you!

Just remember, God has established the Church and the five-fold ministry, on the Earth, for His purpose and to help you! You can ask for help! Go to someone spiritual, that you trust, and ask for guidance.

I encourage you to read some of the following scripture:

• 1 Timothy 5
• Proverbs 4:23
• Genesis 2
• 1 Corinthians 7
• Romans 8
• Matthew 6