Godly Green Flags: What to Look For, Not Just What to Avoid

You’ve prayed. You’ve waited. And now someone shows up, but how do you really know if it’s an answered prayer or just another distraction?

In this perspective-shifting episode, we’re flipping the script, from fear-based dating to faithful discernment. For too long, we've approached relationships with a defensive mindset: scanning for red flags, bracing for the worst, and often missing the blessing God may be placing right in front of us.

Today, we're exploring five essential green flags that signal a Christ-centered connection, the kind of partnership built on purpose, peace, and spiritual maturity. From genuine spiritual intimacy to emotional safety, accountability, and alignment with your calling, these green flags help you recognize when someone is actually equally yoked with you, not just checking your boxes.

Whether you're dating, discerning, or simply preparing your heart for what’s ahead, this conversation will equip you with practical wisdom to recognize Godly love when it shows up. Because God isn’t just protecting your heart, He’s preparing it to receive the real thing.

Let’s stop dating in fear and start recognizing the fruit of faithful, healthy, God-honoring love.

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Episode Transcript

Renee Richel (00:07):
Hi, I'm Renee Richel, the founder and
president of 1 True Match.
I'm here to help you find andcultivate the love of your life.
For over a decade, I'vededicated my life to the
importance, purpose and dynamicof human relationships.
My team and I are disciplinedby faith, love and integrity to
help our clients find thequality relationship they've

(00:28):
always dreamt of.
Each week, I will be sharingthe tools and tips I've learned
that have rooted my success as amatchmaker with other leaders
around the world.
Hello, loves, welcome back.
I hope you have had anincredible week and I am so
excited to dive into this nexttopic, talking about green flags

(00:51):
, not red flags.
I'm even wearing green today.
It's so appropriate.
What to actually look for in agodly partnership.
Today we're talking aboutsomething that doesn't get
nearly enough attention Not thered flags, but the green flags.
We're so used to watching forwhat to avoid that sometimes we

(01:16):
forget about what to pursue.
So today's episode is all aboutflipping that script.
Episode is all about flippingthat script.
If you've been praying forclarity on what a godly
relationship actually looks like, what to look for, not just run
from this one is for you, solet's dive in.

(01:38):
Most of us can name a list ofred flags off the top of our
heads, a list of red flags offthe top of our heads.
Controlling red flag, rude redflag talks over you, red flag.
However, when it comes to greenflags, we kind of freeze
because we've been taught toprotect our hearts but not

(02:02):
necessarily how to open them ina godly way.
Here's the truth.
Focusing only on red flags canlead you into a fearful mindset.
You become overly cautious,overly critical and you might
miss the blessing God is placingin front of you.

(02:24):
Green flags, on the other hand,help you recognize someone's
potential, the fruit of theSpirit in their life.
They help you partner withdiscernment, not just defense.
So let's talk about what greenflags you should actually be

(02:46):
looking for in a godly partner.
Green flags Number one a deeprelationship with the Lord is
huge.
The first green flag they walkwith God when no one is watching
.
It's not just about themthrowing around Christian
phrases or quoting verses toimpress you.

(03:08):
It's about seeing the fruit ofintimacy with Jesus in their
daily life.
Do they pray first?
Do they serve others humbly?
Do they stay rooted when lifegets hard?
A godly partner doesn't justbring you to church, they bring
God into the relationship.

(03:29):
You'll notice it in how theyspeak, how they treat people,
how they handle disappointmentand how they pursue peace.
And let me say this you can'tfake peace.
You just can't.
Someone who walks with God willbring a sense of peace, not

(03:53):
chaos, into your life, and thatis a green flag.
Next green flag they takeownership of their growth.
We all have issues we do, butthe green flag is someone who's
aware of theirs and actuallyworks through them with the Lord

(04:15):
, someone who says this is anarea I struggle in.
However, here's what I'm doingto grow.
They're not perfect Nobody isbut they are not passive either.

(04:35):
They don't blame their ex foreverything.
They don't shift responsibility.
They apologize when needed.
They are teachable, which isone of the most unrated green
flags of all times.

In Proverbs 12 (04:46):
1, it says whoever loves discipline loves
knowledge, but whoever hatescorrection is stupid, believe it
or not.
It says that A godly partnerisn't defensive.
They're refining Green flagnumber three purpose aligned.

(05:11):
Green flag number three is theyare aligned with your purpose,
not just your preferences.
You might vibe with someonewho's fun, attractive and easy
to talk to, but the green flagis when their life is moving in
the same kingdom direction asyours.

(05:32):
Do they support your calling?
Are they driven by kingdomimpact?
Are they interested in buildingsomething that glorifies God,
not just pleases themselves?
Amoes 3:3 says can two walktogether unless they are agreed?

(05:58):
That verse is often used forfriendship, but it absolutely
applies to dating and marriage.
If you're called to missionsand they hate travel, if you're
building a ministry and they'reallergic to leadership, it's not
wrong.
However, your purpose path inlife are not aligned.

(06:21):
Look for someone whose lifepath and heart posture point in
the same direction as yours.
Remember you want to be equallyyoked with the person you are
going to eventually build a lifewith.
Green flag number four healthyconflict Another major green

(06:43):
flag.
They handle conflict with graceand truth.
Flag.
They handle conflict with graceand truth.
We don't talk about this enough.
People think a godlyrelationship means no conflict,
but real love is proven throughhow you handle hard times.
Here's what to look for.
They don't shut down or explode.

(07:04):
They speak truth in love, notsarcasm or shame.
They ask questions tounderstand, not just respond.
They're willing to revisitconversations prayerfully, not
just sweep it under the rug.
James 1.19 reminds us to bequick to listen, slow to speak

(07:30):
and slow to become angry If yousee someone living that out in
real time.
Green flag that's spiritualmaturity in action.
Green flag number five theyinspire you to be your best self
.
Let me ask you something Doesbeing around this person make

(07:53):
you love Jesus more?
Does being around this personbring out the best version of
you?
That's one of the purest greenflags there is.
If someone makes you want tospend more time in the word,

(08:13):
step up in obedience, serve more, love more, pray more, be your
best self Now, that is a hugegreen flag.
Now, this doesn't mean you loseyour identity or you ride the
coattails spiritually.
It means you both push eachother towards Christ, not just

(08:37):
towards each other.
And honestly, attraction fadeslife changes.
A relationship rooted in fatewill always draw you back to the
source.
So in conclusion, let's recaptoday's green flags to look for
in a godly partner.

(08:57):
One they walk with God inprivate and in public.
Two they take responsibilityfor their emotional and
spiritual growth.
Three they are aligned withyour purpose, not just your
preferences.
Four they navigate conflictwith maturity, grace and truth.

(09:22):
Five they draw you closer toChrist and cause you to become
the best version of yourself.
If you're dating someone and yousee these green flags.
Don't overlook them.
Don't let past pain or fear oftoo good to be true keep you

(09:43):
from receiving what God istrying to do in your life.
And if you're single andwaiting, pray for eyes to
recognize these green flags whenthey show up.
Sometimes God sends us exactlywhat we've asked for, but we're

(10:06):
so focused on what we're afraidof we miss it.
God is not just trying toprotect your heart.
He's trying to prepare it, notjust for what to avoid, but what
to receive.
Don't just pray for a goodperson.

(10:28):
Pray to become the kind ofperson who recognizes, honors
and nurtures what's good when itcomes.
I'd like to close us out todaywith prayer.
Lord, thank you for being theultimate example of love.

(10:48):
Thank you for teaching us whatgood, pure and true love is.
I pray for every listener today, that they would walk in
clarity and discernment, thatyou would show them what green
flags to look for and that youwould prepare their hearts for a

(11:12):
relationship that honors you.
May we all keep our eyes fixedon you, the author and perfecter
of our faith and the one whowrites the best love stories.
In Jesus' name, amen.
Thank you for tuning in today.
If this episode encourages you,share it with your friends,

(11:35):
your family, your loved ones.
Leave a review and tag us at 1True Match.
I love seeing how theseconversations are blessing your
journey.
Until next time, keep walkingin love and truth.
God bless, god's got you.

(11:55):
It's been another great talk onthis episode of 1 True Talks by
Renee Richel.
I look forward to our next chat.
Please write in your questionsand comments so I can be sure to
talk about whatever it is youwant to discuss in our next
upcoming episode.
Lots of Love, God Bless.

(12:17):
XOXO.