Myths and
Realities
of
Passion
in our
Marriages
and in our
Relationshi
ps with
God
First of all, what is
Passion?
• Aside from “the sufferings of Christ between the night
of the Last Supper and His death,” passion is
• “ardent affection.” But it is also defined as
• “the emotions as distinguished from reason,” and as an
• “intense, driving, or overmastering feeling.” But it is
also
• “a strong liking for or devotion to some activity, object,
or concept.” (all from Webster’s)
• And of course, it is also defined as “sexual desire.”
• Biblical usage (NT, KJV): Acts 1:3; 14:15; and Jas.5:17;
NASV 8 occurrences, all negatively of sinful desires
The Myths and
Realities of
Passion
Myth #1 about Passion: It is “kindled” not “ignited.”
• Igniting conjures the notion of simply providing a spark to
already present and prepared combustible materials.
The reality?
• Passion doesn’t just happen.
• Planning and preparation may sound counter-intuitive to
passion, but are necessary for a “fire” to be more than a
short-lived flash.
• Physical Marriage, Titus 2:4-5
• Spiritual Marriage, Acts 19:8-10 > 11-20
The Myths and
Realities of
Passion
Myth #2 about Passion: It is “founded” not “found.”
• Finding bolsters the concept that each individual must
travel the world trying everything to “find” his particular
passion.
The reality?
• Passion is where you make it.
• “Flash-fires” are random and short-lived. We build fire
“places” for a reason- to heat a certain space.
• Physical Marriage, Heb.13:4; 1Pet.3:7
• Spiritual Marriage, Acts 9:26; 17:32-34 > Rom.12:4-16
The Myths and
Realities of
Passion
Myth #3 about Passion: It is “led” not “followed.”
• Following passion is based on “If it feels right, it must be
right” (supposes your heart is always your best guide).
The reality?
• Passion must be controlled.
• If we follow our passions instead of leading them (or
abandoning them if they take us away from God), we are
no more than unreasoning animals.
• Physical Marriage, Prov.7:6-23 > 5:15-23
• Spiritual Marriage, Rom.10:1-3; 2Pet.2:10b-22
The Myths and
Realities of
Passion
Myth #4 about Passion: It is “preserved” not just
“pursued.”
• Pursuing passion(s) supports the idea that when one
“fire” goes out, you simply look for another one.
The reality?
• Passion must be maintained.
• Our society constantly speaks of finding or rekindling
“passion” because we are unwilling to maintain it.
• Physical Marriage, Eph.5:22-31
• Spiritual Marriage, Acts 19:8-20 > Rev.2:1-5
The Truths of
Passion
1. It should be “kindled” with preparation, not just
haphazardly “ignited.”
2. It should be “founded” in truth, not just “found”
wherever our fickle hearts wander.
3. It should be “led” in paths of righteousness, not
just “followed” in lust.
4. It should be “preserved” with constancy, not just
“pursued” after after we neglect it to death.