Misused Love

Good morning. As the temperature drops, I am mindful of how it feels to be in a cold relationship. One that is not based on love but is a pretense of love. The coldness and harshness of winter can be a reminder of the lack of love that we can experience. Remember, we talked about love being an outer garment we put on to shield us from the elements. 

This morning, I want to dive into misused love; love that is not real and even deceptive. Samson confused real love with an emotional feeling. In both cases in his relationship, we see in the bible the manipulation of someone to get what they want. This is not true love. It’s important to understand that manipulation may get us temporary satisfaction, but love can only be experienced through giving. Judges 16:15 KJ2000 “And she said unto him, How can you say, I love you when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and have not told me where your great strength lies.” 

What a great question, don't you think? How can there be any love if our heart is not in it? Even those in the world who have wrong intentions can see by our actions if there is any love shown by our actions. I am not saying Delilah was right in her actions, but there was truth in her deceptive ways. Those around us watch us and see if we will allow our guard to come down to show unconditional trust and love. Because they have never been taught or shown true love, the expression of their happiness comes in the reward they will receive. 

Here is where our trust comes to a greater level. Remember that we were told, Matthew 5:44 KJ2000 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Even when we have the REASON not to show love, we don't have the RIGHT not to. The power of love can fulfill the purpose of God, and we may never know it. The very situation you are in can be an occasion for God to show His dominion.  

Although it looked as if Samson was taken advantage of, the truth remains that this situation, he was facing, was one God was going to use. Judges 14:4 KJ2000 “But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.” Do you believe God is aware of everything that we experience and will use it to bring glory to His name?  

The challenge today is to destroy the words that would say, how can you love me if your heart is not in it? The greatest command is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and the second just like it, is to love our neighbor. Now, those are more than words we say, but an action that we perform. The only way that the unlearned will ever be taught of love will come through your sacrifice, and yes, it can be painful. It can leave you vulnerable, and it can cause you to get chained in life to the situation you are in. 

We forget the end of the story. Judges 16:30 KJ2000 “And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might, and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead whom he slew at his death were more than they whom he slew in his life.” Although it looked as if Samson had lost, it was an occasion for the greatest victory. I am not sure what you are facing today, or if you are concerned that the love you have shown is being taken for granted. I do want to assure you that God will use this occasion to restore both you and those around you to the place He has prepared. 

Be blessed and today LOVE the unloved because we need to silence their words. That they may know the LOVE of God.