Lately I’ve been hearing a lot about love. Granted, Valentines day did bring about its fair share of love sermons and talks but it didn’t seem to end just there. I have been hearing an extra amount about love and I would like to try and explain what I’ve been hearing.

First of all, the word “Love” is a frail English word that does not adequately describe the true meaning of the word. I like what the ancient Hebrews did in separating the word into three different words each with a separate, distinct definition.

1. Raya – The love for a Friend or companion; somebody you hang out with.
2. Ahava – The love of the will. Ahava is stronger then romantic emotions, it’s emotion that leads to commitment.
3. Dod – The physical, sexual love. Literally translated to mean, “Carouse,” “Rock,” or “Fondle.”

[Note: For an in depth understanding of these words, take a look at NOOMA Flame]

These definitions allow a clearer understanding of what it means to love someone. Looking through these new perspectives, to love a friend is a much less level of commitment and responsibility than it is to love your future/present wife or husband.

In the short movie, Flame, Rob Bell uses the example of fire to illustrate the three types of love. Each type of love is a flame that when combined formed a flame brighter and hotter than all of the other three on their own. This represented God’s plan of Marriage. When a person loves with the love of Dod outside of Marriage they are trying to have the heat of all the flames combined with only the Dod flame to back them up. It’s impossible! My heart hurts when I think of all my fellow teenagers who are trying so hard to love with just Dod and are missing out on the rest of love. They know what they’re missing out on and a lot of them express that in cutting, disrespect, and suicide. So whats the answer? How do you fill that gap? Read on o’ reader…

In a famous part of the Bible (1st Corinthians 13:4-8a) God clearly lays out what love is:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

This verse should give you a good idea of what real love looks like.

Modesty. ‘Tis more than just clothing, it’s a way of thinking and of living. I recently found an interesting site (http://www.therebelution.com/modestysurvey/) that gave a helpful outline to girls on modesty. They said:

• Seek personal feedback on your attire from the godly men and women in your life.
• Remember, modesty is first and foremost a matter of the heart, not the wardrobe.
• Faithfully pursue the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. (1 Peter 3:4)
• Let your good works outshine your outward appearance. (1 Timothy 2:10)
• Dress for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

I’ve been getting quite frustrated with the entire female race lately. I see young women sporting low cut blouses and figure-tight pants and shirts and as much as I don’t want to, I want to look! We guys explain over and over again what tempts us and what causes us to trip up and the gals seem to listen but then they tend to turn around and use that knowledge against us! This is almost enough for me not to want to hand out this information. Yet, I want to give the young women of my generation a chance at using the power of that knowledge for good so I will continue in my efforts.

If you are a young Christian woman striving to be modest, I challenge you to purposely avoid attracting attention using your body or your actions. Put yourselves in the shoes of a guy and see how you might be leading him down the wrong path! As Christians, we are called to uplift and look out for each other, no matter our age, sex, or spiritual gifts. Are you truly thinking of your brother in Christ if in the same moment you are unconsciously or consciously leading him on and enticing him? Think about it.

Resources:
NOOMA Flame
Harmony of the Heart – Flames of Love
Solomon’s Line on Pre-Marital Sex
The Modesty Survey