[Wisdom of Solomon] Five Courses on a Table for TwoSample

Feelings of Passion

Can you imagine trying to make a cake without flour? The results will not be so good. That cake would probably be best served to the trash. Why? One of the essential ingredients is missing. In relationships, one of the critical ingredients is passion. If passion is lacking in a relationship, you will not find growth. The second course of our meal is feelings of passion.

Solomon and his lily of the valley are madly in love with one another. They have praised one another with words, leading to strong passion. There is kissing and embracing one another, but if you look closely, you can see that she says not to stir up love until it is time. What was she saying? She is saying that even though there is passion, tension, and mutual love, this doesn't give them the green light. They were holding back for the right time they knew would be God-approved. They didn't allow their love for one another to overpower their passion for God’s law and desire for holiness in their lives.

Have you ever had a passion and desire like this? Were you able to wait until it was the right time? Did your love for the Lord overpower your desire for this other person? Passion isn't wrong. God has given us these passions and sexual desires. God created it for his glory and for us to enjoy.

What do we do with these passions, and how do we show that they don’t mean more than our love for God? We look to God’s intention and plan for sexual desire. God wants it to be within the boundaries of marriage. If you’re single, your prayer is to be thankful for having passion and sexual desire, and that one day you will be able to enjoy them in marriage. If you’re married, sexual desires must stay within the bounds of marriage, or they could lead to adultery and sin. Such desires are gifts from the Lord but must be used in a way that glorifies Him. When passion exists for God’s glory in a godly marriage, it can lead to growth that honors Him. Solomon was passionate for his beloved; we, too, should want that same passion to exist in our relationships.

The gospel says to come as you are. If you give into these desires outside of marriage, Jesus knows about your sin, and He still wants you. There is grace waiting for you. If you are married and have lost this passion, ask the Lord to restore what has been lost. Either way, know that God never holds back, and His way is always trustworthy and helpful.

Thought for today: What will you do the next time these desires pop up? Choose now so that you can use them for God's glory.