Abuse of love

Exaggerated love of self

Self-interest is condemned

Philippians 2:3–4 NKJV

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

See also Mt 16:25; Ro 14:15; Ro 15:1; 1 Co 8:9; 1 Co 10:24; Ga 5:26; Jas 3:14–15

Examples of self-love

Es 6:6 Haman; Is 5:8; Da 4:30 Nebuchadnezzar; 2 Ti 3:2; Jas 5:5

Love of prestige

Pride in one’s position or reputation is condemned

Pr 25:27; 1 Co 13:4

See also Pr 21:4; Pr 25:6–7; Mt 23:12; Ro 12:10; Jas 3:1

Examples of the love of prestige

2 Sa 15:1 Absalom; 1 Ki 1:5 Adonijah; Is 14:13 the king of Babylon; Je 46:5; Eze 28:2; Mt 20:21; Mt 23:6–7; Lk 14:7; Lk 22:24; Jn 12:43 the man of lawlessness; 2 Th 2:4; 3 Jn 9

Love of the world

Love of the world is condemned

1 John 2:15 NKJV

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

See also Ex 23:2; Mt 16:26; Ro 12:2; Col 3:2; 2 Ti 2:4; Tt 2:12; Jas 4:4

Examples of the love of the world

Mt 24:38; Lk 14:18 those invited to the great banquet; 2 Ti 4:10 Demas

Love of money

Love of money is condemned

1 Timothy 6:9–10 NKJV

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

See also Ps 62:10; Pr 28:20; Ec 5:10; Lk 12:15

Examples of the love of riches

Jos 7:21 Achan; 2 Ki 5:20 Gehazi; Mic 3:11; Mt 19:22 the rich young man; Mt 26:15 Judas Iscariot; Lk 16:14; Jn 12:6; Ac 16:19; Ac 24:26 Felix; 2 Pe 2:15

Love of sin

The love of sin is condemned

2 Thessalonians 2:12 NKJV

that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

See also Job 15:16; Pr 2:14; Pr 17:19; Ro 1:32; 2 Pe 2:10

Examples of the love of sinning

1 Ki 21:25 Ahab and Jezebel; Je 14:10; Mic 3:2; 2 Pe 2:13–14

Love of other gods

Idolatry is condemned

Deuteronomy 6:13–14 NKJV

You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name. You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you

See also Ex 20:3; Le 26:1; Dt 12:30; Ac 17:29; 1 Jn 5:21

Examples of the love of idols

Ex 32:4 the golden calf; Jdg 2:11–12; 2 Ki 17:15; Da 5:4 Belshazzar; Ac 17:16 the city of Athens; Ro 1:23