Abuse of love

Exaggerated love of self

Self-interest is condemned

Philippians 2:3–4 NRSV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to 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 NRSV

Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world;

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 NRSV

But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

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 NRSV

so that all who have not believed the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness will be condemned.

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 NRSV

The Lord your God you shall fear; him you shall serve, and by his name alone you shall swear. Do not follow other gods, any of 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