Most of us are familiar with the love chapter of 1 Corinthians 13. In addition, many believers are acquainted with Jesus’ commandment that we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind as well to love others as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:37) However there’s much more we can learn about love from the Bible:
#1) If you love arguing…you love sin.
“Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction” (Proverbs 17:19).
This isn’t the debate style of arguing—rather it refers to those who love to always be right at any cost. They are willing to argue, fuss, and fight in order to come out ahead. People who love to quarrel tend to have short-lived friendships as others tire of always having to be on the defense with them. Self-love is at the root of this sinful behavior which goes against Jesus’ commandment that we love others as ourselves.
Love’s remedy: if you struggle with the love of arguing—pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the root of this sin within your heart. Try a time of fasting from defending yourself and let the Lord be your defense.
#2) If you love sleep…you will be poor.
“Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare” (Proverbs 20:13).
Many of us enjoy a good night’s sleep and occasionally taking naps. However those who love sleep because of their laziness—will find themselves in poverty. Oversleeping in excess is a luxury most of us can’t afford. We must use every opportunity given by the Lord to do His will while we have a chance. Sleep is a necessity of life that must be kept in balance. We were saved to do God’s good work and not to fall into a slothful lifestyle.
Love’s remedy: if you struggle with loving sleep, it’s time to wake up and get about the purpose that God created you to do. At that moment you feel like sleeping (and it’s not bedtime or a well-deserved nap), ask the Holy Spirit for direction on what work you could do for the kingdom.
#3) If you love pleasure…you will be poor.
“Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich” (Proverbs 21:17).
Those who live their lives in the pursuit of pleasure will spend their money to keep it going. Whether that pleasure is alcohol, drugs, recreational sports/activities, shopping, TV and/or Internet surfing, or gluttony—it takes money. The Lord created us with the ability to enjoy life. However many are tempted to seek pleasure more than they seek God. Pleasure has a time and place, but it’s not the goal of our lives; rather pleasing and glorifying God will bring us ultimately the greatest pleasure without the heavy cost.
Love’s remedy: if you struggle with pursuing pleasure, begin to fast from those things that have invaded your first love, Jesus Christ. Disciplining yourself will not be pleasurable at first, but it will be most beneficial for you and those around you for a lifetime.
#4) If you love your friends…be honest with them.
“Better is open rebuke than hidden love” (Proverbs 27:5).
It’s difficult to correct a friend. However, we must love our friends enough to tell them the truth. A true friendship in Christ will endure a rebuke which is painful to give and receive. When a friendship has been tested in this and survives, it creates a deeper bond that can last throughout eternity. There will be times a friend will become angry and walk away from the friendship. It’s a difficult to cope with that rejection, but God will heal the wounds over time.
Love’s remedy: if you struggle with not speaking the truth to a friend, it’s best to pray and ask God for wisdom on how to approach them. Resist speaking of an issue at an emotional crisis, rather patiently wait for things to calm down and then speak the truth in love.
#5) If you love money, you will never have enough.
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
Many people believe that money is evil, but that’s not true. It’s the love of money that is the root of all evil. Without the Lord’s intervention through trials and testing, many of us would be on the money train that never stops. In Ecclesiastes 10:19 we know that “money is the answer for everything”; yet the love of money will never completely satisfy. If Jesus doesn’t return first, all people will have died or die at some point in time; yet and not one person has brought a single dollar bill to heaven with them.
Love’s remedy: Give, give, and give more to the kingdom of God and to the poor. When you give in faith with your tithes, offerings, and generosity—the Lord always repays with blessings that you don’t have room to store. His blessings are beyond the finite ability of money to extend to the deeper depths of peace, joy, and unconditional love in the Spirit.
If you love…
Loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind is worth it. Your love relationship with Him will spill over to those around you. You will find that pursuing winning an argument, laziness, pleasures, money, or man’s admiration will pale in comparison to the love you have in Christ Jesus.
Article by Crystal McDowell
Crystal McDowell is a writer, speaker, and teacher with a passion to encourage believers to know and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through practical application of God’s word.
Crystal and her husband, Marshall, raise their five children in the Bloomington, IL. As a freelance writer and editor for over 13 years, Crystal has published numerous Christian curriculums for Sunday School and VBS as well as many articles dealing with marriage, motherhood, and relationships. She’s a weekly staff writer for www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com as well as writing her own blog at http://crystalmcdowellspeaks.blogspot.com.
