SEP 4

2 Samuel 13
Memorise 1 Peter 1:22
“see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently”

Today’s media has warped our perception of what is love. Instead of learning from God and the Bible, our exposure to movies, Korean dramas and romance novels have taught us that love is in actual fact no different from lust, and that it is a noble thing to be sought after. The plots always revolve around similar ideas, where one party notices another based on looks and first impressions, and falls madly ‘in love’. Either both or at least one would be good looking, funny and charming. Before long, there would be physical contact, hugs, kisses, before they finally end up in bed fornicating. Is that really what we would call love?

In 2 Samuel 13, we see a similar story that reflects the confusion that one has between love and lust. The account starts off with Amnon described as being so infatuated with his half-sister Tamar that he ‘fell sick’ for her. He himself thought it was love, for that was what he told his friend Jonadab (v.4). However, as the story goes on, we see how he set up a plot so he could be alone with her. Indeed it was lust and not love that he had, for all he wanted to do was to force himself on to her, and ended up forcefully raping her, despite her desperate protests. What happened after showed his true heart, for when the lust subsided, he came to his senses and realised what he had done, he now “hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her”. Thereafter he just wanted her out of his sight, having already taken what he desired. Such is the tragic consequences of lust.

Love on the other hand, would do no such thing, for true love would be sacrificial, wanting only what is best for the other person. Lust is selfish, desiring instant gratification, whereas love is giving, pure and kind. As you interact with members of the opposite gender, and begin to develop attractions for each other, be very careful to check yourselves, that we do not base our likings purely on selfish physical attractions, upon lusts, but upon genuine love, first as brothers and sisters in Christ, and if the Lord wills, He will show you the way to develop the relationship further in His own time.

Thought: 1 Peter 1:22 – “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently”.
Prayer: Lord, may You search my heart and remove any sinful lusts, and fill me with the love of God.