Is there a test for true love?

Yes and No.  Yes, we can learn from past mistakes.  Yes, we can grow and change.  No, it is impossible to fall in love without risking your heart.  No, there is no guarantee you won't make a mistake and get hurt.  Yes, we can observe the success and failure of others to gather information about why love relationships succeed or fail.  We believe you recognize that love is a very powerful emotion and often common sense disappears. That is why you're taking the time to read this.

We have adapted insights from Dr. Neil Clark Warren, Finding the Love of Your Life and from Pastor Bill Hybels,  Making Life Work: Putting God's Wisdom into Action to compile a list of what not to do.  We call it: 

8 Steps to A Miserable Marriage

Step 1 Marry someone of a different faith or no faith. 
The Bible is crystal clear in its prohibition  - "only in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 7:39)  You can believe that you are an exception to God's command and that you can beat the odds because you know better.  

Step 2  Marry too quickly
Hurry up and get on with it.  Why waste time in a long courtship?

Step 3   Marry too eagerly
This person, this marriage is going to solve all of your problems. 

Step 4  Marry to please someone else
Make a life-defining decision in order to make someone else happy  ie: mother, father, peers, fiance'

Step 5  Make assumptions about marriage expectations
Don't bother to identify or explore your very different ideas about marriage.   Both expressed and unexpressed expectations. 

Step 6  Make your decision based on a narrow range of experiences
Short-term dating should be adequate information to determine how your marriage partner will react to the stress of life.

Step 7  Test your potential compatibility by living together first
Logic says a trial run will help you gauge your long- term success.  After all, you need to find out if the two of you are sexually and emotionally compatible. 

Once again, you can defy the sociological research that confirms that living together increases the risk for a marriage breakup and it increases the risk of domestic violence and sexual abuse for children.  No wonder the Bible warns you not to do this.  The Bible is not trying to deprive you but protect you.  

Step 8   Ignore personality or behavioral issues
Assume that your love will dissolve or resolve all of your partner's past problems.  Determine you can change him or her for the better.

How many of these 8 steps do you match?

We hope you answered "None of the above".  But if you are already entangled in some of them, please step back and slow down.  Spend some time alone with God about this.  We will be praying for you about your important decision.

For a second opinion we recommend this love test:
http://www.prolife.com/DrLauraSchlessinger.htm