4 Ways for Christian Couples to Show Love on Valentine’s Day

14 Feb 2016

Valentine’s Day makes many of us obsess about this thing called love. In my teenage years, I used Harlequin Romance novels a guideline for what love should be. What I know now (as I’ve grown older and wiser), is that if we don’t put God in the mix of finding and keeping love, what we find is a disappointing imitation of love.  Even as Christians, we fall into this trap.

God has given us a road map to the human heart through His Word and His example. In 1 Corinthians 13  we learn what love in action looks like:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

The ultimate example of love is seen in John 3:16. We are reminded that “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus went on to show us what love looks like by:

– Washing the disciples feet and showing that love requires humility and thinking of the needs of another.

– Laying down His life for us and showing us that if we love another, we must be ready to do the same for those we claim to love. Although we may not have to die in order to save a loved one’s life, we are often required to lay down our right to be right, our egos, our pride, and our selfishness.

So as participate in the frenzy that is Valentine’s Day, let’s examine ourselves in light of Christ’s example of love.  And since Valentine’s Day falls in the same month as Lent, why not find ways to “lay down our lives” and make sacrifices for both God as well as  our spouses, children, and those we love. For those who are married,  put God as the center of your life. The Christian kind of love is not easy but with God we can do all things. If you make God the greatest love of our life, He will give you a love story better than any Harlequin Romance novel.

Four ways for married Christian couples to show love on Valentine’s Day:

1. Start the day praying together, thanking God for His unconditional love and asking Him to teach you how to love each other unconditionally, to love the way He loves. If you are not praying together daily, make this a daily appointment with the Lord.

2. Ask the Lord to heal any wounds that are keeping those emotional walls up and preventing you from loving yourself, your spouse and others the way He intended

3. As you enjoy dinner (one that you hopefully prepared together), discuss what 1 Corinthians 13 means to you; thank your spouse for ways they have demonstrated these virtues.

4. Read either Dr. Gary Chapman’s The 5 Love Languages The Five Love Languages and spend the next few months reading a chapter and doing the exercises together, while putting into practice what you learn.

Whatever you do on this special day,

remember to put action behind those three small, but important words. Happy Valentine’s Day!

How are you spending your Valentine’s Day?

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