Pursue love, yet eagerly desire spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 14:1)
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The word pursue brings several things to mind that remain uncaptured by Webster's definition. When pursuing something as powerful as love, I would equate the phrase "to seek out of eager desire; to wholeheartedly go after something - often resulting in and/or requiring the sacrifice of something else."
If we seek to find; and we sacrifice in order to make room for something, we must know that if we seek the wrong things, we'll find the wrong things. Furthermore, we must be careful of what it is we're sacrificing and what it is we're making room for. Let's take a look at what Paul wrote to a young Timothy:
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The word pursue brings several things to mind that remain uncaptured by Webster's definition. When pursuing something as powerful as love, I would equate the phrase "to seek out of eager desire; to wholeheartedly go after something - often resulting in and/or requiring the sacrifice of something else."
If we seek to find; and we sacrifice in order to make room for something, we must know that if we seek the wrong things, we'll find the wrong things. Furthermore, we must be careful of what it is we're sacrificing and what it is we're making room for. Let's take a look at what Paul wrote to a young Timothy:
Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22)
Impurity and purity cannot coexist in the same heart, neither can sin and righteousness. Take note that before Paul instructs Timothy to pursue righteousness, he tells him to flee from youthful lusts. This goes back to the idea of sacrificing something to make room for something else. Deny the sin of lust that entangles. Make room in your heart to pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace.
Since we're on the topic, let's zoom in on lust. We pursue things out of desire, but desire isn't always a bad thing, nor does it always give birth to sin. Since we commonly hear about the physical lust that mostly men struggle with, I'd like to explore the emotional lust that women fall victim to. "When a young lady dreams of her wedding day and someone to love her and call her..whatever sappy gushy nickname she prefers, that's a good desire. But when that desire overwhelms her desire to know God in a deep and real way it becomes a distraction in her life. It is now lust, and it can ruin her spiritual future." (Steven Furtick in his book Love, Dating, and other insanities.)
but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has concieved, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:14-15)
If a healthy desire takes precedence in her life, heart, and pursuit over her pursuit of knowing God intimately, that distraction has become an idol. One word, girls. DANGER.
Scripture is pretty clear about what we should pursue, and it's safe to say that anything outside of that has the potential to damage your heart and your relationship with the Lord. Wholeheartedly chasing after righteousness, faith, love and peace results in, and requires, the surrender of our own desire to feel loved and wanted by a man. Search your heart to find what it is you pursue that takes up space where Jesus belongs.
What God tells us to pursue:
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14)
Wisdom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7)
Impurity and purity cannot coexist in the same heart, neither can sin and righteousness. Take note that before Paul instructs Timothy to pursue righteousness, he tells him to flee from youthful lusts. This goes back to the idea of sacrificing something to make room for something else. Deny the sin of lust that entangles. Make room in your heart to pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace.
Since we're on the topic, let's zoom in on lust. We pursue things out of desire, but desire isn't always a bad thing, nor does it always give birth to sin. Since we commonly hear about the physical lust that mostly men struggle with, I'd like to explore the emotional lust that women fall victim to. "When a young lady dreams of her wedding day and someone to love her and call her..whatever sappy gushy nickname she prefers, that's a good desire. But when that desire overwhelms her desire to know God in a deep and real way it becomes a distraction in her life. It is now lust, and it can ruin her spiritual future." (Steven Furtick in his book Love, Dating, and other insanities.)
but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has concieved, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:14-15)
If a healthy desire takes precedence in her life, heart, and pursuit over her pursuit of knowing God intimately, that distraction has become an idol. One word, girls. DANGER.
Scripture is pretty clear about what we should pursue, and it's safe to say that anything outside of that has the potential to damage your heart and your relationship with the Lord. Wholeheartedly chasing after righteousness, faith, love and peace results in, and requires, the surrender of our own desire to feel loved and wanted by a man. Search your heart to find what it is you pursue that takes up space where Jesus belongs.
What God tells us to pursue:
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14)
Wisdom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7)
He must turn from evil and do good. He must seek peace and pursue it. (1 Peter 3:11)
Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. (Proverbs 21:21)
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you. (Matthew 6:33)
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