“Please, guard her heart.”

by: JemimahRamos

It’s very simple as it sounds, but it takes a lot of self-control and discipline to do it, brave men.

1. Love her
   Some just wanted to use the word “love” to take advantage of her. Believe me, she’s tired of playing games—of being the in between and the almost, she needs constant assurance where is the relationship heading. Loving her means loving what you know and what you don’t know yet—her past, present and future mistakes too, just as how God loved us. It means keeping no record of wrongs.

2. Protect her
   If you really know her, she’s afraid of failing. May it be in her family, work, responsibilities in the ministry, and her goals in life. Protecting means not just telling her that you are safe with her, but you walk your talk. Stealing her purity before marriage won’t make you a man, nowadays it’s rare to find a man who treasures not just her face and body, but also her soul. Pray that God will protect her from some men who wants to take advantage of her, even if that includes you.

3. Wait and Pray for Her
   In this world full of “Let’s do it now.” Be the one who is willing to wait and to stay. Pray for her every single day, while you are pursuing her. Waiting is never a wasted season, it’s actually a preparation. Encourage her that God makes beautiful things in its perfect time. Time is never an issue for those who wait faithfully and passionately.

4. Pursue her
   Pursuing her means a never ending excitement of getting to know her more and more.

And I strongly believe in the 5 Love Languages of Gary Chapman. Get to know her love language! Words of Affirmation, Physical Touch, Gifts, Quality Time, and Acts of Service.
It’s never expensive, it just takes an effort.

1. Lead Her to God
   I see so many Christian girls in my generation running after these guys who clearly have no relationship with Jesus, and it breaks my heart.

So what does spiritual leadership looks like?
Remember, it’s not dominating her, specially if you’re still dating her. See her not just a future partner, but a sister in Christ, too. To lead her effectively to God, you must be a true follower of Jesus. Leading her is never about you being above her, it’s a reminder of serving one another in truth and love, kneeling down and grabbing a towel to wash her feet, just as Christ did for us.

So let me ask you these questions:
-Do your conversations and physical boundaries honor God?
-Do you know the limits how far can you not go before marriage?
-Are you praying for her to grow spiritually, too?

I know it’s really awkward, but a responsible man knows that it needs to happen before you play with the fire. God loved us first before we love Him, so let Him complete you first.

Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”