Love, abuse of

Scripture warns that love can be misdirected and shows a number of examples.

Exaggerated love of self

Self-interest is condemned

Philippians 2:3–4 See also Matthew 16:25 parallels Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24; Romans 14:15, Romans 15:1; 1 Corinthians 8:9, 1 Corinthians 10:24; Galatians 5:26; James 3:14–15

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Examples of self-love

Esther 6:6 Haman; Isaiah 5:8; Daniel 4:30 Nebuchadnezzar; 2 Timothy 3:2; James 5:5

Love of prestige

Pride in one's position or reputation is condemned

Proverbs 25:27; 1 Corinthians 13:4 See also Proverbs 21:4, Proverbs 25:6–7; Matthew 23:12 parallel Luke 14:11; Romans 12:10; James 3:1

It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Examples of the love of prestige

2 Samuel 15:1 Absalom; 1 Kings 1:5 Adonijah; Isaiah 14:13 the king of Babylon; Jeremiah 46:5; Ezekiel 28:2; Matthew 20:21, Matthew 23:6–7 parallel Luke 20:46; Luke 14:7, Luke 22:24; John 12:43 the man of lawlessness; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; 3 John 1:9

Love of the world

Love of the world is condemned

1 John 2:15 See also Exodus 23:2; Matthew 16:26 parallels Mark 8:36–37, Luke 9:25; Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:4; Titus 2:12; James 4:4

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Examples of the love of the world

Matthew 24:38; Luke 14:18 those invited to the great banquet; 2 Timothy 4:10 Demas

Love of money

Love of money is condemned

1 Timothy 6:9–10 See also Psalm 62:10; Proverbs 28:20; Ecclesiastes 5:10; Luke 12:15

Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Examples of the love of riches

Joshua 7:21 Achan; 2 Kings 5:20 Gehazi; Micah 3:11; Matthew 19:22 parallels Mark 10:22, Luke 18:23 the rich young man; Matthew 26:15 Judas Iscariot; Luke 16:14; John 12:6; Acts 16:19, Acts 24:26 Felix; 2 Peter 2:15

Love of sin

The love of sin is condemned

2 Thessalonians 2:12 See also Job 15:16; Proverbs 2:14, Proverbs 17:19; Romans 1:32; 2 Peter 2:10

in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.

Examples of the love of sinning

1 Kings 21:25 Ahab and Jezebel; Jeremiah 14:10; Micah 3:2; 2 Peter 2:13–14

Love of other gods

Idolatry is condemned

Deuteronomy 6:13–14 See also Exodus 20:3; Leviticus 26:1; Deuteronomy 12:30; Acts 17:29; 1 John 5:21

Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you.

Examples of the love of idols

Exodus 32:4 the golden calf; Judges 2:11–12; 2 Kings 17:15; Daniel 5:4 Belshazzar; Acts 17:16 the city of Athens; Romans 1:23