Day 31 - Romantic Love

Emily Green

“I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another. 8 So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows—it’s better to stay unmarried, just as I am. 9 But if they can’t control themselves, they should go ahead and marry. It’s better to marry than to burn with lust.” - 1 Corinthians 7:6-9 NLT

One of the types of love the New Testament discusses is romantic or eros love. Eros is a Greek word that describes romantic or sexual love. While the Bible does not feature the word “eros,” it is essential to note that it has plenty to say about romantic and sexual relationships. In Corinthians 7, Paul speaks to single and married people and shares thoughts on romance and passion. To some, these verses in 1 Corinthians 7:6-9 are controversial because Paul says it is “better to stay unmarried” (v.8) like he was. However, Paul also says that “each person has a special gift from God” (v.7), implying that both singleness and marriage are good gifts from God. Therefore, there’s nothing wrong with being married, and there’s nothing wrong with being single!

Even so, as Pastor Ken has discussed, sometimes neither singleness nor marriage feels like a gift! Single people want to be married, and (sometimes) married people want to be single! However, what I love about these verses in 1 Corinthians 7:6-9 is that Paul is real. He’s aware, and God is aware, that some people desire romantic relationships – and it’s not a bad thing! God created marriage, and God created sex for the confines of marriage (Genesis 2:24-25). God created us with the desire for eros. However, Paul also mentions that some people simply want to be single, and both marriage and singleness are gifts from God.

As we close, I want to encourage you today with this verse from Psalm 37:4 NLT:

“Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart’s desires.”

This verse doesn’t mean that God will give you everything you want; this verse means that as you take delight in God, as you fall in love with Him, He will place desires in your heart for His will, and then He will be faithful to fulfill them!

God is no stranger to love or the desire for marriage, sex, and fulfillment. If your heart is broken today, or if you’re praying for a spouse, know that God understands, hears you, and will be faithful to bring you everything you need as you delight in Him!

Next Steps

  • Think about it: Do I view my current relationship status as a “gift” from God? Why or why not?

  • Think about it: How can I begin to or continue to view my current relationship status as a “gift” from God?

  • Action Step: If you’re single, write down five good things about being single. If you’re married, write down five good things about being married. Both are gifts from God, which means they must be good!