Abuse of love

Exaggerated love of self

Self-interest is condemned

Philippians 2:3–4 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also 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 ESV

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 ESV

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

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 ESV

in order that 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 ESV

It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are 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