Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8200 The character of the believer  »  8292 love  »  8302 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 pp Mark 8:35 pp Luke 9:24; Romans 14:15; Romans 15:1; 1 Corinthians 8:9; Corinthians 10:24; Galatians 5:26; James 3:14-15

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 pp Luke 14:11; Romans 12:10; James 3:1

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 pp Luke 20:46; Luke 14:7; Luke 22:24; John 12:43 the man of lawlessness; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; 3Jn 9

Love of the world

Love of the world is condemned

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

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

Examples of the love of riches

Joshua 7:21 Achan; 2 Kings 5:20 Gehazi; Micah 3:11; Matthew 19:22 pp Mark 10:22 pp 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

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

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

See also

5413  money, attitudes
5813  conceit
5869  greed
6020  sin
6243  adultery, spiritual
8768  idolatry
8802  pride
8821  self-indulgence
8827  selfishness