At the end of last year I was shocked to learn an old flame from college had gotten divorced from a fairly brief marriage. I remembered that we used to share the same conservative values, specifically about marriage and divorce. She has been on my mind a lot lately.
To be honest, I am tempted to try and rekindle the romance. The hopeless romantic in me wants to find a lasting love this year, a love that demands all of me. I miss the friendship and sharing our passion for dancing. The more I romance the idea of reconnecting with her, the more the Holy Spirit to grieves me.
I’m reminded of the differences between TRUE LOVE and lust. This is an essential lesson for a BELIEVER and the lost to learn when we’re young. Simply put, love gives everything, lust desires everything. We’ve all chased after something or someone and gotten HURT, I’VE BEEN THERE. However, TELL YOUR HEART TO BEAT AGAIN.
This is what I’ve concluded after reading the Bible, particularly the Jewish books of poetry and the scrolls. The Ketuvim and Megillot contain a lot of wisdom from Jesus’ bloodline, King David and his son Solomon.
Solomon paints a clear picture of the differences between lust and love in the poetry of Song of Solomon. And that is what this special Valentines blog will focus on, both are a can't sleep love.
Awaken?
The Ketuvim begins with the struggles of Job, the book reads like a sad country love song. It begins with an accounting of all the things Job has, then he loses it all (including those he loves) and blames God, after he gets his ego checked, he gets everything back and more. It’s a no-brainer what matters most to him.
He had a wake-up call. Then the psalmists sing hymns of love and praise to God. Fortunately, King David passes this love onto his son, Solomon.
One of my favorite passages in the Song of Solomon is a warning to singles to not awaken love before it’s time (Song of Solomon 8:4). Due to the nature of this book focusing more on the physical aspect of love, this red flag Solomon gives refers to lust—it’s a no-brainer!
Solomon deals extensively with self-sacrificing, others-focused love in Proverbs (Proverbs 3:3, 10:12, 17:9). But, here he turns to the physical side of love and when to express it. Perhaps more pastors should use it for pre-marriage counseling.
Recently, American Idol alum Colton Dixon shared in an article about he and his new bride’s determination to save sex for marriage. He explains the lengths they went through to remain pure and keep the marriage bed holy. Throughout the article, this young man shares his excitement about how marriage has changed everything. He is excited to be able to wake up next to the woman he loves.
Changed!
The biblical idea of marriage is, two become one—everything changes. The old cliché is, “love changes things.” Love changes us, so does lust! Lust is temporary, love is permanent. Jesus teaches us to KEEP IT 100. Love demands more of you; lust is only for part-time lovers.
Websters defines lust as: “A strong feeling of sexual desire, an intense longing.” The second part often confuses us, we think because we have a strong desire for someone or something that we’re in love.
We all have “love” stories from our pasts when we’ve made the mistake between the two and learned the hard way; we even laugh as we look back. Real love is HEARTFELT, not a mindset. I’m reminded of my high school girlfriend.
Our relationship started out sweet and innocent, but quickly turned to lust and erotic love, a stupid love. We both thought we couldn’t live without one another. But, all these years later it’s obvious that we can. I’ve heard stories of how she’s changed and I’m thankful that we’re not together now.
THAT’S ALRIGHT; I saw THE LIGHT and I GOT JESUS and JESUS LOVES ME, HALLELUJAH.
I’VE SEEN this same story play out in the lives of many of my friends and other Christians. Love heals—lust hurts, it will BURN everything it touches.
Recently, freed pastor Saeed Abedini’s wife shared of their struggles with abuse and pornography. Some people fall in love as easy as they fall asleep, they need to be awakened!
To be honest, I am tempted to try and rekindle the romance. The hopeless romantic in me wants to find a lasting love this year, a love that demands all of me. I miss the friendship and sharing our passion for dancing. The more I romance the idea of reconnecting with her, the more the Holy Spirit to grieves me.
I’m reminded of the differences between TRUE LOVE and lust. This is an essential lesson for a BELIEVER and the lost to learn when we’re young. Simply put, love gives everything, lust desires everything. We’ve all chased after something or someone and gotten HURT, I’VE BEEN THERE. However, TELL YOUR HEART TO BEAT AGAIN.
This is what I’ve concluded after reading the Bible, particularly the Jewish books of poetry and the scrolls. The Ketuvim and Megillot contain a lot of wisdom from Jesus’ bloodline, King David and his son Solomon.
Solomon paints a clear picture of the differences between lust and love in the poetry of Song of Solomon. And that is what this special Valentines blog will focus on, both are a can't sleep love.
Awaken?
The Ketuvim begins with the struggles of Job, the book reads like a sad country love song. It begins with an accounting of all the things Job has, then he loses it all (including those he loves) and blames God, after he gets his ego checked, he gets everything back and more. It’s a no-brainer what matters most to him.
He had a wake-up call. Then the psalmists sing hymns of love and praise to God. Fortunately, King David passes this love onto his son, Solomon.
One of my favorite passages in the Song of Solomon is a warning to singles to not awaken love before it’s time (Song of Solomon 8:4). Due to the nature of this book focusing more on the physical aspect of love, this red flag Solomon gives refers to lust—it’s a no-brainer!
Solomon deals extensively with self-sacrificing, others-focused love in Proverbs (Proverbs 3:3, 10:12, 17:9). But, here he turns to the physical side of love and when to express it. Perhaps more pastors should use it for pre-marriage counseling.
Recently, American Idol alum Colton Dixon shared in an article about he and his new bride’s determination to save sex for marriage. He explains the lengths they went through to remain pure and keep the marriage bed holy. Throughout the article, this young man shares his excitement about how marriage has changed everything. He is excited to be able to wake up next to the woman he loves.
Changed!
The biblical idea of marriage is, two become one—everything changes. The old cliché is, “love changes things.” Love changes us, so does lust! Lust is temporary, love is permanent. Jesus teaches us to KEEP IT 100. Love demands more of you; lust is only for part-time lovers.
Websters defines lust as: “A strong feeling of sexual desire, an intense longing.” The second part often confuses us, we think because we have a strong desire for someone or something that we’re in love.
We all have “love” stories from our pasts when we’ve made the mistake between the two and learned the hard way; we even laugh as we look back. Real love is HEARTFELT, not a mindset. I’m reminded of my high school girlfriend.
Our relationship started out sweet and innocent, but quickly turned to lust and erotic love, a stupid love. We both thought we couldn’t live without one another. But, all these years later it’s obvious that we can. I’ve heard stories of how she’s changed and I’m thankful that we’re not together now.
THAT’S ALRIGHT; I saw THE LIGHT and I GOT JESUS and JESUS LOVES ME, HALLELUJAH.
I’VE SEEN this same story play out in the lives of many of my friends and other Christians. Love heals—lust hurts, it will BURN everything it touches.
Recently, freed pastor Saeed Abedini’s wife shared of their struggles with abuse and pornography. Some people fall in love as easy as they fall asleep, they need to be awakened!
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