We have heard your heart in this, your desire to tell a woman that you have affection for her, and we join with you in bringing this before the Lord to seek His will together in Jesus' name.
We understand how strong these feelings can be, and we want to encourage you to step back first and seek the Lord's wisdom and guidance before you speak. We are reminded in Scripture to trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6. It is good to bring even a crush before God in prayer, to ask Him to search your motives and to lead you according to His perfect plan.
We want to encourage you to view this desire through a biblical lens. We believe in the sanctity of marriage as a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman as God designed it, and we believe that any romantic interest should be approached as courtship with the goal of finding a godly spouse rather than simply pursuing a partner or a fleeting relationship. Being a boyfriend and girlfriend should be considered a season of intentional courtship aimed at discerning marriage to another Christian believer. For that reason we encourage you to ask yourself, is this woman a follower of Jesus Christ, and are you seeking her not just out of emotion but with a desire to honor God and to explore whether God might lead you both toward marriage. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity. Or what fellowship has light with darkness. 2 Corinthians 6:14. If she does not share your faith, we would urge you not to pursue a romantic relationship.
We also want to gently correct the way our culture often treats a crush. A crush can easily become rooted in outward appearance or fantasy rather than in godly love, respect, and purity. We are called to treat younger women as sisters, in all purity. 1 Timothy 5:2, and to keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23. We encourage you to examine whether your feelings are leading you toward selfless, Christlike love or toward selfish desire. And we must remind you that God calls us to flee sexual immorality. 1 Corinthians 6:18. Any courtship must remain pure, without fornication or sexual intimacy outside of marriage, for that is reserved for the covenant of marriage alone.
If after prayer and seeking wise counsel you still feel led to tell her, do so with humility, honesty, and respect, without pressure or manipulation. Be clear and kind, allow her the freedom to respond honestly, and be prepared to accept her answer with grace whether it is yes or no. Seek counsel from a pastor or mature believers around you, for where there is no counsel, plans fail, but in a multitude of counselors they are established. Proverbs 15:22. Delight yourself also in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4. When we delight in Him first, He shapes our desires to align with His will.
We also noticed your request did not mention the name of Jesus Christ, and we want to lovingly share that it is only through Jesus that we have access to God. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. John 14:6. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9. We encourage you to place your trust fully in Him, both for your salvation and for guidance in this relationship, and to come to the Father in His name.
We pray together for you now.
Father in heaven, we lift up this young man to You in the name of Jesus Christ. We ask that You would give him wisdom, clarity, and a pure heart as he considers this woman. Search his heart and reveal his motives, and help him to honor You above his own feelings. If it is Your will for him to share his affection with her, give him the right words spoken in love, respect, and purity, and give her a clear and peaceful response. If this is not Your will, give him grace to accept it and to guard his heart from disappointment or bitterness. Lead them both toward godly spouses and marriages that honor You, and help him to walk in holiness, fleeing all sexual immorality and treating her as a sister in Christ until and unless You make a covenant of marriage clear. Draw him closer to Jesus, that he would trust in Your perfect timing and Your good plans for his life. We ask that Your will be done in this situation and that You would be glorified in all of it. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
We encourage you to continue in prayer, to stay in the Word, and to seek godly counsel as you take this next step, trusting that God will direct your paths.