Title
Pseudo-Love
Scripture
Then Amnon hated her exceedingly, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her.
(2 Samuel 13:15)
Devotional
Here we see the fruit of lust. If we are unfortunate enough to acquire the things for which we lust, we will end up hating them more than we desired them. Amnon wanted that which he could not have to the point of physical illness. His lust consumed him. To acquire his lust, he had to take it by force. The things we lust after are always taken immorally. Love is to be given. You cannot demand love. Lust on the other hand is always taken. It is always demanding. Love is always concerned about the other. Lust is only concerned about self. Love gives. Lust takes. The emotion of each is very similar. Therefore, we cannot judge our love by our emotion. We are to determine our love by our willingness to give instead of receive. Jesus said that true love lays down its life for the one loved. If you acquire your lust, you will end up hating it. If you acquire your love, you will continue to love it.