Discerning Love

by: Sara Leo

Love and romance and people’s attempts to find them have long been a form of entertainment, whether in plays, novels, music, or film. We have even made the quest for romance into a competition. In the past we’ve watched dating games where young men and women ask questions to potential suitors from behind a screen and then choose which one to date based on their answers. Today we watch reality dating programs like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette where contestants spend a few weeks dating a group of thirty suitors in order to whittle it down to one Mr. or Mrs. Right. These men and women glow as they talk about finding true love, all the while engaging in impersonal group dates and one-night stands.

In most popular culture, love is just a feeling. So it is no surprise to see these contestants find love in just a few short weeks. But feelings are fleeting and so it is also no surprise when we read about their breakup in the news a few months later.

When the Bible describes love, it is always about more than just feelings. Paul prays for his friends in Philippi that their love will abound in knowledge and depth of insight. True love is discerning and wise. This kind of love takes effort and hard work. Don’t let reality shows convince you that real love happens after a few hours spent with someone attractive.