What does the Bible say about passion? The Bible speaks a great deal about passion. In fact, the word “passion” is mentioned three times throughout Scripture. In Acts 1:3, Acts 14:15, and James 5:17. But what does it mean to have a passion for God? And how can we apply this principle in our lives? In this blog post, we will explore what the Bible has to say about passion and discover how we can live with greater purpose and enthusiasm. Thanks for joining us!
Table of Contents
What does the Bible say about Passion?
The Bible speaks often of passion–both positive and negative. On the positive side, Christ Jesus had a passion for His work (Luke 4:18). He was passionate about bringing hope and healing to the lost and brokenhearted.
here are some bullet points summarizing what the Bible says about passion:
- Passion in the Bible: While the term “passion” may not be explicitly mentioned in the Bible in the same way it is used in modern language, the Bible does address the concepts and emotions associated with passion.
- Positive Passion: The Bible often encourages positive passions, such as love, zeal, and enthusiasm for serving God and others. For example, in Romans 12:11 (NIV), it says, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
- Controlled Passion: The Bible also teaches the importance of controlling and directing our passions in righteous and godly ways. It warns against sinful passions or desires that lead to wrongdoing. In Galatians 5:24-25 (NIV), it says, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
- Passion for God: The Bible encourages having a passionate love for God and a desire to seek Him with all our hearts. In Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV), it states, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
- Passion for Righteousness: Passion in the context of pursuing righteousness, justice, and God’s will is commended in the Bible. In Matthew 5:6 (NIV), Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
- Avoiding Negative Passions: The Bible cautions against negative passions such as jealousy, anger, and lust, which can lead to sinful actions. It advises believers to guard their hearts and minds against these destructive passions.
- Passion for Others: The Bible encourages believers to have a passion for loving and serving others, as exemplified in the teachings of Jesus. In Matthew 22:39 (NIV), Jesus instructs, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Passion in Worship: Passionate worship and praise are celebrated in the Bible. It encourages believers to worship God with all their heart, soul, and strength, expressing their passion for Him.
- Balancing Passions: While passion can be a powerful motivator, the Bible also emphasizes the importance of wisdom, self-control, and discernment in guiding our passions so that they align with God’s will.
In summary, the Bible acknowledges the significance of passion in human emotions and actions. It encourages positive passions that lead to love for God, righteous living, and compassionate service while cautioning against negative passions that can lead to sin and harm.
His passion was so great that He was willing to lay down His life for His friends (John 15:13). As Christians, we are called to have this same passion for God and for others. We are to be relentless in our pursuit of righteousness and justice (Jeremiah 9:7). We are to be zealous for good works (Titus 2:14). On the negative side, the Bible speaks of those who are consumed by their passions–those who allow their desires to control them.
These people live in slavery to their lusts and appetites (1 Peter 2:11; Galatians 5:24). They are controlled by greed, envy, and selfish ambition (James 3:14-16). Their passions lead them into all kinds of evil–from adultery and murder to slander and gossip (Matthew 15:19).
As Christians, we are called to reject this kind of destructive passion. Instead, we are to pursue godliness with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (1 Timothy 6:11). We are to set our affections on things above, not on things of this world (Colossians 3:2). Only then will we be able to fully enjoy the abundant life that God has promised us (John 10:10)
The Word Passion Is used in the New Testament (King James Version)Three Times:
- Greek Word – Passion – Pascho – To Suffer Acts 1:3 – He Showed himself alive after his passion
- Greek – Passions – Homoioopathes – Suffering Like Things – Acts 14:15 – We are Men of…
- Greek – Passions – Homoioopathes – Suffering Like Things – James 5:17 – Elijah
- Latin – Passion – Passio – Used in the New Testament for all three Meanings
How is Passion Used in The Bible ( Bible Verses)
- To Suffer
- The passion of our Emotions
- Passion – Affections – Good and also evil desire
What the King James Bible Says About Passion (Reason God Gave)
The Bible has a lot to say about passion. In fact, passion is a central theme in Scripture. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible repeatedly tells us that our Living God is passionate about His people and His creation. And He calls us to be passionate about Him as well.
So what does that mean for us? As Christians, we are called to have a passion for God and for His will in our lives. But what does that look like in practical terms? Here are three things the Bible has to say about passion.
We are called to be Passionate about God’s Word.
The first thing the Bible says about passion is that we are called to be passionate about God’s Word. In Psalm 119:97, we are told to “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.” And in Psalm 1:2, we are instructed to “delight in the Lord’s instructions and not forget his word.” Clearly, the Bible instructs us to make a priority of studying God’s Word. When we make time to read, study, and meditate on Scripture, we are showing our love and obedience to God. The love of God will lead us into godly passion, and perfect harmony and is a gift of God. It will guide us in the days of my life to be in full accord with God.
We are called to be Passionate about Prayer. (James Bible Online)
Another way we can express our passion for God is through prayer. In Philippians 4:6-7, the Apostle Paul tells us “Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks.” When we pray, we are bringing our concerns and cares before the throne of Almighty God. We are inviting Him into our difficulties and asking for His guidance and strength. Prayer is an act of worship that demonstrates our dependence on God and our desire to please Him.
We are called to be passionate about evangelism.
Finally, the Bible tells us that we are called to share our faith with others. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus said “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
This great commission shows us that it is not enough simply to believe in Jesus ourselves; we must also tell others about Him so they can put their faith in Him as well. When we share the gospel with others out of sincere love for them, it is an expression of our passion for God and His will for their lives.
Passion is a central theme in Scripture because it is central to who God is and who He created us to be. As Christians, we are called to have a passion for God and His will for our lives. It will guide us to god-given passion and lead us to greater works so that our soul longs for the right thing.
This looks like making time for His Word, spending time in prayer, and sharing our faith with others out of love for them. When we live passionately for God, it brings glory to Him and points others to eternal life with Him as well!
What are the Positive Implications of Passion and its role in Suffering?
There is no question that suffering can be a difficult and agonizing experience. But despite the pain and heartache that it can bring, suffering can also have a positive impact on our lives. In fact, the Bible tells us that suffering can be a good thing.
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2-3). As these verses show, suffering can help to develop qualities like patience and perseverance. It can also help to strengthen our faith. Therefore, even though suffering is often tough to go through, it can actually have some very positive implications.
The Bible tells us that suffering is a part of life. It’s not something to be avoided at all costs. In fact, suffering can have a positive impact on our lives. The book of James says that when we suffer, we should “consider it pure joy.”
It Will:
- Strengthen my heart
- Cause my Soul thirst for the righteousness of God
- Lead me to hard work following the word of God
- It can be a perfect gift
- Guide us in Good Deeds
- Lead us through a weary Land
- Give us Spiritual fervor
- Give us a new passion discovering God’s Plan
Why? Because suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope. Perseverance is the ability to keep going even when things are tough. It’s the quality that allows us to finish what we start, even when we’d rather give up.
Character is who we are when no one is watching. It’s the choices we make when we’re faced with difficult decisions. And hope is the belief that things will get better, even in the midst of suffering. Passion plays a role in all of this.
When we are passionate about something, we are more likely to persevere through tough times. We are also more likely to stand up for what we believe in, even when it isn’t popular. And our passion can give us hope when things are tough. So if you’re facing suffering in your life, don’t despair. Remember that passion can play a role in turning your suffering into something good.
How does the Power of Passion Affect Change?
Passion. We all have it. That thing that sets our soul on fire, makes us feel alive. It’s what drives us to do great things, to be our best selves. And it has the power to change the world. Just think about some of the most passionate people in history: Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks.
They were able to change the course of history because they were driven by a deep passion for what they believed in. And that passion inspired others to join their cause and fight for change. So never underestimate the power of passion. It has the ability to move mountains. And it can make you a force for good in this world.
Jesus’ Passion led him to:
- Leave Heaven
- Be Born of Woman
- Into the Wilderness
- Give his Young Life at the age of 33
- Rise from the Dead
- Blaze the Path to Heaven
The Importance of Passion in the Christian life.
Many people ask what the most important thing is in the Christian life. Is it faith? Love? Hope? The answer, of course, is all of those things. But there is one quality that is essential for a thriving Christian life, and that is passion.
Without passion, our faith can become stagnant, our love can grow cold, and our hope can dwindle. Passion is what gives us the strength to persevere when things are tough, to reach out to others in love, and to keep going when all we see is darkness.
It is what gives us the fire to proclaim the gospel and share our faith with others. Passion is what makes us truly alive. So if you want to live a vibrant Christian life, fan the flames of your passion and let it burn brightly for all to see.
How to Cultivate a Passionate Heart for God
A passionate heart for God is cultivated through an intimate relationship with Him. First, we must intentionally spend time getting to know God through His Word and prayer. As we learn about His character, we will begin to see Him as the loving Father He is. This knowledge will tug at our hearts, drawing us closer to Him.
We will also long to please Him and obey His commands out of love rather than duty. In addition, spending time with other Christians will help fan the flames of our passion for God. As we fellowship with like-minded believers and worship together, our love for God will grow deeper.
If we keep these things up, our passion for God will continue to mature, eventually leading to a burning desire to share His love with others.
The Danger of Allowing Passions to Control Us
The Bible tells us that we are to guard our hearts, for out of them flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23). Our passions are what drive us and motivate us to action. They can be good things, like a passion for justice or a passion for truth. But our passions can also be destructive forces if we allow them to control us.
When our passions become uncontrolled, they can lead us into all sorts of sin and destruction. We can become jealous, angry, and revengeful. We can become obsessed with our work or with material possessions. We can become addicted to drugs or alcohol. We can even become blinded by our own pride and arrogance.
The list goes on and on. The point is, when we allow our passions to control us, they can lead us down a very dangerous path. So how do we guard our hearts? How do we keep our passions from controlling us?
It can Help Keep us from:
- Sexual sin
- Wrong Things
- Sexual Immorality
- Sinful Lifestyle
- Passion of Lust
- Wrong Motives
The answer is found in Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwelling on these things will be of benefit to you.”
In other words, we need to focus on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and of good repute. When we do this, it will help us to keep our passions under control.
What are The Ultimate Purpose of our Passions
What are passions? By dictionary definition, a passion is “a strong and barely controllable emotion.” Strong emotions can drive us to do things we never thought possible. They can cause us to take risks and to stand up for what we believe in. But ultimately, our passions should be directed towards something bigger than ourselves. They should be focused on making the world a better place and on showing others the love of Christ. When our passions are in alignment with God’s purposes for our lives, we can achieve far more than we ever could on our own. We can impact the lives of those around us in a positive way and make a difference in the world. So let us ask ourselves, what are our passions? And how can we use them to further God’s kingdom?
How is the word Passion Used Today?
The word “passion” is often used to describe intense emotion or strong belief. In the past, it was primarily used in a religious or spiritual context, but today it can be applied to many different areas of life. Passion is often seen as a positive force, something that drives people to achieve their goals.
However, it can also lead to negative consequences, such as obsession and violence. Ultimately, whether passion is a force for good or evil depends on how it is used. When harnessed for positive purposes, passion can be a powerful engine for change; when misdirected, it can cause destruction and suffering.
As we navigate the world, it is important to be aware of the role that passion plays in our lives and how to use it constructively.
Final Thoughts – What does the Bible say about Passion
As Christians, we are called to spread the gospel throughout the world and to make disciples of all nations. One way we can do this is by using our gifts and talents to reach out to others. If we have a passion for music, we can use our talents to write and perform songs that share the good news of Jesus Christ.
If we have a passion for teaching, we can use our gifts to teach Sunday school or lead a Bible study. Whatever our gifts may be, we can use them to further the kingdom of God. By using our passions to serve others, we can touch lives in a way that only we can.
We have the opportunity to share the love of Christ with those who are lost and hurting and to show them that there is hope in Jesus. So let us not be afraid to use our gifts for the glory of God. Let us step out in faith and trust that He will use us to further His kingdom.
God Bless Greg
Best Bible Encyclopedias and Dictionaries
Below is a table featuring some highly regarded Bible Encyclopedias and Dictionaries along with their publishers and websites where they can be found or purchased.
| Title | Publisher | Website |
|---|---|---|
| The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia | Eerdmans | Eerdmans |
| Zondervan’s Pictorial Bible Dictionary | Zondervan | Zondervan |
| Easton’s Bible Dictionary | Thomas Nelson | Thomas Nelson |
| Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary | B&H Publishing Group | B&H Publishing Group |
| The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary | Moody Publishers | Moody Publishers |
| HarperCollins Bible Dictionary | HarperOne | HarperOne |
| Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words | Thomas Nelson | Thomas Nelson |
You can generally find these resources on the publishers’ websites, as well as other online book retailers such as Amazon or Christianbook. It’s always good practice to confirm availability and review additional details on the specific websites or other reliable online bookstores.
