Love That Triumphs

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26-27

Love Triumphs over Anger

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

(Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV) 

In a chapter all about living a new life with Jesus, we find the title verse. 

Right in the midst of a passage around futile thought lives, hard hearts, lying, stealing and foul language we find this gem around anger. 

Now, I love that God gives us permission to feel the emotion of anger. 

He is not telling us to behave like robots who respond only with positive emotions all day every day. He knows we are frail and human and will occasionally feel upset, which may demonstrate itself in anger. 

The advice, however, is not to sin. To not let anger have more rule in our lives than it should. 

We are not to let the day end whilst we are still angry. It is too risky. It can give the enemy an opportunity to wreak havoc in our relationships and in our lives. 

The advice to not let the sun go down whilst we are still angry, though very basic and straightforward, can be a little more complex to follow through on. 

Anger can become an all-consuming force that takes over our rational thinking and damages our ability to think clearly. We may lash out, hurting those around us with our tongues…or worse. 

There is, however, hope. 

There are ways in which we can handle our own anger to ensure that we don’t sin. 

• Take a few moments to think, before you speak.
• Words can be so hurtful. The adage that claims that words will never hurt us is simply untrue. They can cut deeper than any other offense and be remembered for a long time to come. When you feel anger arise in your chest and you are tempted to lash out with your words, take a moment. Even if it is as simple as counting to 10 before you speak, do it. It could rescue you from breaking down a relationship that you really care about. 
• Try to think of a solution.
• Rather than dwelling on the problem that has caused your feelings of frustration, try to funnel that energy and effort into thinking of a solution. Pick apart the dilemma and approach it in a different way. 
• Once you have calmed down, share your concerns.
• Perhaps most importantly, remember to address the original situation that started your angry feelings. Once you have taken a walk, exercised, and thought about your words, come back and talk. Share with the person you need to how you feel and why you felt so upset. This approach gives the best chance for the future of your relationship to succeed and flourish. Don’t rehash the situation, simply process a solution together and move forward. 

Resolution, reconciliation, and mutual compromise are the ultimate goals of any conflict. They ensure that love will always triumph.

Scriptures: Galatians 5:19-21, Galatians 5:22-23

Love Triumphs over Jealousy

‘The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.’

(Galatians 5:19-21 NIV)

Most of us are familiar with the fruits of the Spirit. They are some wonderful attributes that our character can display, and the list can be found in Galatians 5:22-23; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

These admirable qualities are in direct opposition to the list we find just prior to them, a list which includes our subject topic for today – jealousy. 

Paul writes to the people of Galatia to encourage them to follow the path of the fruits of the Spirit, rather than their negative, fleshly counterparts. 

Jealousy can be so destructive. It encourages us to have the mindset of, ‘you have, and I don’t’ rather than displaying love by trusting that what you have is a blessing to you and, if it is also meant for me, it will be. 

Jealousy versus trust. 

I think the reason God saw it fit to have Paul write jealousy into the fruits of the flesh is because jealousy leaves no room for God, whereas trust gives plenty of room for Him. 

Others having opportunities does not subtract from our lives. God has enough resources and love to bless us all should He choose to. We don’t need to grapple for position. He loves us all equally. 

As well as the fruits of the Spirit and the fruits of the flesh, the ten commandments in chapter 20 of the book of Exodus commands us to not covet. 

Covet is a fancy word to describe wrongfully desiring something in such a way that bears no regard for others. God knew that it would be an issue for us as fallible human beings and did not want us to be mastered by it. 

‘The grass is greener on the other side’ is a saying that is popular and feeds into that sense that what you have is not enough and what others have is more. It is simply not true. A more accurate saying might be ‘the grass is greener where you water it,’ in essence, your life will flourish in areas that you give due diligence and focused attention to. 

The moral of this little story? 

Pay attention to the blessings and the goodness that you have in your life and less to the blessing in others. If jealousy/comparison/coveting are an issue for you, please seek God for healing and maybe also seek counsel from a trusted friend or leader. We are unlikely to go through life without ever experiencing these things, but we can master them and live grateful for what we have, not what we don’t.

Scriptures: Luke 19:1-2, Luke 19:5, Luke 19:8-9, Matthew 6:19, 1 Timothy 6:6

Love Triumphs over Greed

‘Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.

(Luke 19:1-2 NLT)

As human beings, we are all prone to wanting more. 

We see the latest iPhone or laptop and our minds begin to scheme how we might get our hands on it. Or a beautiful dress catches our eye and, despite owning more than enough dresses for any one person, we start counting our money to see if we can afford to get it. 

Now, iPhones, laptops, and nice dresses are, in and of themselves, not necessarily a bad thing. But the excessive desire for more wealth and possessions has a name – greed. 

We meet a man who displays a level of greed in the book of Luke in the New Testament. Zacchaeus is a very wealthy man and, being the chief tax collector of the region, we can safely assume that he – materially speaking – wants for nothing. 

Then Jesus comes along. 

Now, for some reason or another, Zacchaeus really wanted to meet Jesus. 

He had likely heard about all of the miraculous things that Jesus had been doing and wanted to see Him for himself. So, he climbs a tree to get a better look at Jesus. 

As Jesus passes by, He pauses, looks up at Zacchaeus, and calls him by name… 

“Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

(Luke 19:5 NLT)

The people of Jericho, knowing Zaccheaus and his character and work, grumbled. They were not impressed that Jesus would ask to go to such an individual’s house. 

But neither Jesus nor Zaccheaus cared. 

Something happened to Zacchaeus as soon as he was in Jesus’ presence. All of a sudden, he knew that the way he had been living – greedily – was wrong. And he makes a grand statement of change… 

Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”

Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.

(Luke 19:8-9 NLT)

Zaccheaus had been changed by Jesus. He went from being a man of greed to a man of repentance and generosity. 

We are told not to store up treasures on this earth (see Matthew 6:19). It is a waste of a life. A life that would be better poured out for the Kingdom of God. 

Where greed says I need more, love says I have all that I need. Let us be content with what we have. Nothing more, nothing less. 

After all, Godliness and contentment are great gain (see 1 Timothy 6:6.)

Scriptures: Colossians 3:13, Luke 23:34

Love Triumphs over Bitterness

‘Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.’

(Colossians 3:13 NLT)

Ironically, this devotional may be a bitter pill to swallow. Particularly if you are in the throes of pain or offence. 

When talking about bitterness and the effects of unforgiveness, the above verse springs to mind. 

Offence. 

I’m sure, at one time or another, we have all experienced a situation, person, or circumstance that has offended us. 

The temptation may be to go over and over the offending incident in our minds and hearts again and again and again, almost like the repetition of churning the event over vindicates us in some way. 

It does not. 

All it does is harden our hearts towards the offending person or situation, making it more and more difficult to forgive, let go and move on. 

When I think of bitterness visually, I imagine a heart. A heart that is covered in a layer of hardness, instead of beating normally, it is restricted to beat within the confines of its limited space. 

I believe that an offending incident can lead to offence being taken. If we don’t forgive the incident, we eventually wind up bitter. The unforgiveness festers and takes root in our hearts, causing a hardness of heart. 

My encouragement to us today is that bitterness is not the only route we can take. 

We can forgive. 

Where bitterness demands an account, love forgives. 

Love trusts that God sees and knows all and will resolve the situation according to His will. 

The ultimate example of forgiveness and love can be found at the Cross. 

Jesus, Himself said these words: 

“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

(Luke 23:34 NLT)

As He hung there on the Cross of His underserved punishment Jesus asked God to forgive those who had put Him there. 

With literally every reason in the world to leave us in our sin and condemnation, Jesus extends a hand of grace. 

Therefore, what right do we have to withhold forgiveness from our fellow man when they offend us? 

I do not say this from a place of condemnation but rather of conviction. May we be convicted by the Holy Spirit when we are tempted to withhold forgiveness from another. And may we have the humility and mercy to forgive and move on. 

Some events and offences may take some time to process before we can come to a place where we are ready to forgive, but forgive we must, for our own sakes as much as the offender’s. 

Forgoing bitterness and practicing forgiveness frees us as it releases our offenders into the hands of God for His justice to take place. 

Love triumphs over bitterness, every time.

Scriptures: Genesis 34:1-4, Genesis 29:14-20

Love Triumphs over Lust

There are many stories of love in the Bible. The Bible itself is a story of love between God and humanity. 

However, sadly, the Bible also has its fair share of stories around lust. Lust can take on many forms but today I want to address the more physical kind of lust. 

Lust can be defined as ‘uncontrolled or illicit sexual desire or appetite’ (dictionary.com).

To illustrate the difference between love and lust, let’s look at the story of Shechem and Dinah, found in the book of Genesis, chapter 34… 

Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the women of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her and lay with her and humiliated her. And his soul was drawn to Dinah the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young woman and spoke tenderly to her. So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, “Get me this girl for my wife.”

(Genesis 34:1-4 ESV)

One thing that is worth noting in this portion of scripture is that Shechem did love Dinah. ‘His soul was drawn to her,’ the Bible says, and ‘he loved the young woman and spoke tenderly to her.’

The sad fact is, however, that Shechem had already defiled Dinah. He had taken from her something that she was not willing to give and, in so doing, displayed that his lust for her was likely more powerful than his love. 

Lust takes. Grabs. Snatches. 

Love gives. Waits. Is patient. 

An example of where love reigned over lust is in the story of Jacob and Rachel. 

After Jacob had stayed with Laban for about a month, Laban said to him, “You shouldn’t work for me without pay just because we are relatives. Tell me how much your wages should be.”

Now Laban had two daughters. The older daughter was named Leah, and the younger one was Rachel. There was no sparkle in Leah’s eyes, but Rachel had a beautiful figure and a lovely face. Since Jacob was in love with Rachel, he told her father, “I’ll work for you for seven years if you’ll give me Rachel, your younger daughter, as my wife.”

“Agreed!” Laban replied. “I’d rather give her to you than to anyone else. Stay and work with me.” So Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days.

(Genesis 29:14-20 NLT)

Jacob loved Rachel enough to wait for seven years before he was physically intimate with her. He displayed love that was more powerful than lust. 

My encouragement to us today is to take a lesson from Jacob. 

Let us exercise self-control, patience, and love when it comes to lust. Let’s master it rather than allow it to master us.

Scriptures: 1 John 2:9-11, 1 John 3:15, Psalms 26:5, Psalms 97:10, Proverbs 13:5, Proverbs 6:16-19

Love Triumphs over Hate

If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.

(1 John 2:9-11 NLT)

Hate is a strong word. 

It can be thrown around quite casually, as in ‘Oh, I hate olives’ or ‘I hate it when it’s so cold.’ 

But then there are the much more serious kinds of hatred, the hatred that causes division and segregation among us. 

The Bible is very clear on the subject of hate. It goes as far as to say that ‘Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart.’ (1 John 3:15 NLT)

Clearly, this is a subject that God takes very seriously. 

However, there are places in the Bible where we are encouraged to hate. 

These places exist in the likes of: 

• Psalm 26:5 – ‘I hate the gatherings of those who do evil, and I refuse to join in with the wicked.’
• Psalm 97:10 – ‘You who love the Lord, hate evil!’
• Proverbs13:5 – ‘The godly hate lies; the wicked cause shame and disgrace.’
• Proverbs 6:16-19 –‘There are six things the Lord hates – no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.’

Evil. Lies. Pride. Wrong. 

The Lord hates them all and we are encouraged to as well. 

But, as our title verse teaches us, we cannot claim to be followers of Jesus, living in the light of His salvation, and also hate another believer. Hate is considered something that seeps into our hearts and causes a dark shadow. It is not the way of the light nor does it help us to see clearly. 

If you are harbouring an intense dislike – or hatred towards a fellow believer, may I encourage you to take time out to search your heart? 

Why do you have such a strong dislike of this person?

What do you think the root of the issue is?

Is there room for reconciliation?

Once you have sought the Lord on these questions and addressed your own heart, it is my hope that you will have unearthed the real reason for your hatred and will choose love instead. 

Martin Luther King Jr put it like this: 

“I have decided to stick with love… hate is too great a burden to bear.”

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8

Love Triumphs

‘Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.’

(1 Peter 4:8 NLT)

We all know that anger, jealousy, greed, bitterness, lust, and hatred are not preferable to love. I’m not breaking any new ground there! But in the midst of feeling one of these difficult states of being, it can be tempting to let them overtake our better judgment. 

It is for this reason that we have written this devotional. 

May each day encourage you to measure your responses and reactions to the variety of situations we can be presented with and choose love. 

It is not always easy. When you have been hurt, let down badly, or feel pulled around by your flesh, it may seem more reasonable to turn to a jealous heart or a bitter spirit. Let’s commit to fight for love and love one another deeply because, as our title scripture says, it covers a multitude of sins. 

So, to recap – 

• Anger lashes out, love speaks kindly. 
• Jealousy begrudges others their blessings, love trusts that what is meant for you will be yours. 
• Greed desires excess, love is satisfied with what one has. 
• Bitterness holds on to offence, love releases forgiveness. 
• Lust demands gratification in the moment, love waits for the right time. 
• Hatred weighs us down, love lifts us – and others – up.