not love

‘My dear friends, don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God …’ I John 4:1_MSG

We have spent almost an entire month dedicated to love

We have talked extensively about what love is and what it looks like

However, I would be remiss if I did not dedicate at least one day to caution –

Cautions concerning love

It should be easy to see from our discussion the behaviors and attitudes run contrary to love

Yet we can often be blinded by the light and fail to recognize what is not love

Understand that even ‘the enemy disguises himself as an angel of light’ [II Corinthians 11:14]

Yet ‘we are not ignorant of the devices of the enemy’ [II Corinthians 2:11]

Impatient, unkind, envious, boastful, arrogant, rude – not love

Selfish, manipulative, irritable and resentful – not love

Rejoicing in wrongdoing and inventing ways to be evil – certainly not love

Lying, abandoning, accusing and destroying – not love

It should be obvious that these things are not love

But sometimes the packaging causes confusion – often times, it is the package bearer

‘Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people … rejects from the faith, twisted in their thinking, defying truth itself.’ II Timothy 3:1-9MSG

Therefore, ‘Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.’ I Peter 5:8

Be sober-minded but do not be fearful

Remember that Jesus said that, ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.’ John 10:10

But also bear in mind that He, Jesus came ‘that we might have life and have it abundantly’ (John 10:10)

Keep in the forefront of your mind that He has defeated the works of the enemy. ‘For this purpose was the Son of God made manifest.’ I John 3:8

Never forget that, ‘The eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are loyal to Him.’ II Chronicles 16:9

And for the people who choose to partner with the enemy?

Love them – just as Christ commanded

It is easier said than it is to walk out in everyday application, I know

Yet the command remains, ‘Love your enemy, bless the one who curses you, do something wonderful for the one who hates you, and respond to the very ones who persecute you by praying for them.’ Matthew 5:44TPT

Understand that ‘the LORD is not slow in keeping His promise as some consider slowness. Instead, He is patient … not wanting anyone to perish but for everyone to come to repentance.’ II Peter 3:9

He will deal with them in His own time – trust me

But more importantly, trust Him

 

Have a Blessed Day!

 

‘Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap.’

Galatians 6:7AMP