Passion and Purity

01Understanding Love and Passion from a Christian Perspective

You're sitting in your favorite coffee shop, sipping on a latte, and your mind starts to wander to thoughts of that special someone. Your heart flutters, your palms get sweaty, and you can't help but smile. Love and passion, two powerful emotions that can make us feel on top of the world, but also have the potential to bring us to our knees. In the Christian context, love is often defined as a selfless, patient, and kind emotion. It's not about what we can get out of it, but what we can give. It's about putting the needs of others before our own, just as Christ did for us. Passion, on the other hand, is that intense, driving force that pushes us to pursue our desires. It's that spark that ignites our hearts and fuels our actions. These two emotions often intertwine in our lives, especially in our relationships. Love forms the foundation of our relationships, providing a stable base for us to build upon. It's the glue that holds everything together, even when the going gets tough. Passion, meanwhile, brings excitement and vitality to our relationships. It's the spice that keeps things interesting and the fire that keeps the flame burning. However, as enriching as love and passion can be, they can also complicate our lives. When directed properly, they can bring joy, fulfillment, and purpose. But when misdirected or uncontrolled, they can lead to confusion, heartbreak, and even destruction. Take, for example, the story of Jim and Sarah from "Passion and Purity". Jim was deeply in love with Sarah, but his passion for her was so intense that it began to consume him. He became obsessed with her, neglecting his other responsibilities and even his relationship with God. His love and passion, once a source of joy, had become a source of pain and confusion. This story serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked love and passion. Unchecked love can lead to co-dependency and loss of self-identity, as we become so wrapped up in the other person that we lose sight of who we are. Uncontrolled passion, on the other hand, can lead to obsession and destructive behaviors, as we allow our desires to dictate our actions. That's why it's so important to understand and manage these emotions. We need to recognize their presence and impact in our lives, and learn how to control them, rather than letting them control us. And the best way to do this, according to Elisabeth Elliot and Joshua Harris, is to bring our love life under Christ's control. By surrendering our love and passion to Christ, we can ensure that they are directed in a way that is healthy and beneficial, rather than destructive. We can experience the joy and fulfillment that love and passion can bring, without the confusion and heartbreak that can come from misdirected or uncontrolled emotions. So, the next time you find yourself daydreaming about that special someone, take a moment to reflect. Are you managing your love and passion, or are they managing you? And remember, the key to a healthy love life lies not in our own control, but in Christ's.