SPIRITUAL COMPATIBILITY - Do not even consider the possibility of marrying a person who will not faithfully worship the Lord Jesus Christ with you. If you do, you are courting misery, violating the Word of God, and sitting yourself up for compromise, and apostasy from the faith (II Cor.6:14-15; I Cor.15:33; Gen.6:2; Ex. 34:16; Deut. 7:3-4; Jud. 3:6). Do not merely ask - "Is this person moral, religious, and well-established?" But above all else ask - "Does this person worship my God?"
BIBLICAL AUTHORITY - There can be no authoritative rule, guide, or basis of behavior in a believer's life and home but the Word of God. Our personal thoughts and all the opinions of others must be rejected. If you want to build a house of peace and righteousness for the glory of Christ, you must build your home upon the Word of God. The instructions of Holy Scripture are not at all ambiguous (Gen. 2:18-25; Prov. 5:15-21; 31:10-31; I Cor. 7:1-40; Eph. 5:25-6:4; I Pet. 3:1-7).
UNQUALIFIED DEVOTION - Marriage is forever. Divorce is very common and accepted in our society. But it is still in violation of God's law. For believers it is never an option (Rom. 7:1-3; I Cor. 7:10-11). Do not even think about marrying a person until you are prepared to devote yourself to that person, for better or for worse, until death alone shall separate you. Anything called "love" that is less than this unconditional commitment that forgives all things, bears all things, and endures all things is not love but lust. You cannot build a home on lust.
PATIENCE - Do not settle for less than you want in a husband or wife. Many, for fear of not finding someone who measures up to their expectations, have married a person they can never truly admire. If a wife does not admire her husband, she will never reverence and obey him. If a husband does not admire his wife, he will not love her, nourish her, and cherish her. As God made Eve specifically for Adam, so he has made a companion specifically for you. Wait for that companion. If you do not, you will regret your impatience as long as you live.