Text: John 15:11-14
Memory verse:
“Then Amnon hated her exceedingly, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Arise, be gone!”
II Samuel 13:15
There are two Greek words used to describe man’s love – Phileo and Eros. Phileo is the love between friends. Most often, the good aspects of the other prompts it. It’s a ‘give-and-take’ type of love. Sometimes, it’s just based on natural affection.
Eros on the other hand is based on the expected beneficial effect from the other. It is a selfish type of love and doesn’t consider the other’s needs. Rather, it is only propelled by a desire to satisfy one’s own passion, like the love of Amnon for Tamar (2 Sam 13:1-18). Most boyfriends and girlfriends and adulterous relationships are based on this type of love. It’s usually a desire to satisfy one’s sexual desire irrespective of its effect on the future of the other. Most young people who get involved in this usually live in regrets as most of these relationships break up afterwards. Even, when they proceed to marriage, most of them don’t enjoy the marriage as they live in suspicion of one another. Likewise, a man who makes great promises of love to a married woman or vice versa, is only seeking to satisfy his or her lustful desire and will soon end in pain and regrets.
The love that seeks to make you guilty for the rest of your life or that wants to set you against your Maker is a selfish love. The love that encourages you to violate God’s word or causes you to break your chastity/marital vow is not of God.
God calls us to relate with one another with Agape, God’s love, which is the higher type of love. “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12). It’s a divine and sacrificial love. It is based on favour and not worth. It gives at all costs to forgive and to protect you and your chastity. It’s love that waits in patience for the other. It draws you closer to God rather than pushing you away. One who has not experienced God’s love can’t give it out nor can discern it.
Prayer points
1. Father, help me to grow in agape love and to exhibit it in all my relationships in Jesus name.
2. Father, please open the eyes and deliver all the married and unmarried who are under the deception of Eros in Jesus name.
Today’s declarations
1. I am perfect in love when all my relationships are guided by agape love.
2. Lust, fornication and adultery are imperfect love that leave you with regrets and serious consequences.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng