Date: Wednesday, 14th February, 2024
Text: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan
Exhortation:
Lust is not love. Love is of the Spirit of God; while lust is of the flesh. The word of God commands love but warns against lust. Love is selfless while lust is self-seeking or selfish. Love gives and sacrifices- (For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son- John 3:16a); while lust satisfies itself at the expense of another; not minding whether its desires will cost the life of another person.
Lust is fleeting and temporal while love is more enduring. Lust is triggered by physically looks and feelings while love is deeper and unconditional.
Lust is fake love.
Concerning lust Jesus warned, ““You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28
Amnon claimed to ‘love’ his half sister Tamar, and he schemed to rape her. “Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Get up and get out!” 2 Samuel 13:1-19
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Examine yourself, “Do you love others like Christ or do you lust after them?
Prayer Nugget: Holy Spirit, please fill my heart with true, selfless love in Jesus name.