Valentine’s day holds different meanings to different people. For some, it is the season when they celebrate love in multi-dimensional forms. For others, Valentine’s day, simply put, is nothing else but a day set aside to celebrate sex and lust in the most outrageous manner. This is where many have missed the real essence of Valentine’s, most especially the adventurous young generation.
Thankfully, we were able to get one of the most outstanding and revered prophets of our time, the founder of Celica Church of Christ, Ibadan, Prophet Emmanuel Adetunji Adeonigbagbe, to share with us his own thoughts and perspectives of Valentine’s day as reflected in the scriptures.
Prophet Adeonigbagbe is a firm believer of true love himself. He reflects this in his lifestyle, especially in his marriage to his ever beautiful wife, a woman of virtue and unwavering love for God, Rev. Agnes Mofoluwake Adeonigbagbe. Their marriage is about 4 decades old but the love and bond between them is still as strong as it was the day they said “I do” 40 years ago. Indeed, their union has been a source of inspiration and joy to many around them. City People’s Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290) shares with you Prophet Adeonigbagbe’s concerns about Valentine’s day and it’s influence on young Christians, using the scriptures as his premise. It’s a short but incisive piece. Enjoy it.
Valentine’s day usually celebrated on 14th February of every year is around the corner again.
The way our youths are celebrating it (Valentine) these days leave much to be desired. The ways the youths prepare for it and crave for it is better imagined than experienced.
Christian girls and boys should go and find out what true love really is.
In this century, young girls and boys mostly believe lust & sex is love. What they practice is immoral and infatuated love with penchant to get drunk, visit unsavoury places and end up fornicating.
The Bible tells us that our bodies are Temple’s of God and it should be kept sacred for our legally married spouses only. To eat the forbidden fruit (sexual intercourse) before marriage is a great sin in the eyes of God Almighty. Why would the women and men brought up in the ways of the Lord disobey God and commit immorality all in the name of Valentine’s day celebration? Apart from social implications of consummating their marriage before wedding, the health implications and hazards therein cannot be quantified. Several chronic and severe STDs: sexually transmitted diseases are the perks and gifts (Trojans Horse gift) are what they stand to gain. Unwanted pregnancy is also a direct consequence of the aftermath of immoral and illicit sexual escapades being indulged in during Valentine’s day celebration. Young girls end up giving birth to babies without an identifiable father; causing everlasting stigma for the women, their families and the ostracization of the innocent babies from the illicit sexual affairs and some of the women end up as single mothers.Some result to abortion and may end up terminating the unwanted pregnancy from quacks and unqualified doctors that may end in womb damage, permanent inability to conceive and give birth later in life.
What does God want?
(1)The Bible says flee from sexual immorality.Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1st Corinthians 6:18-20).
Sexual immorality brings a lot of heartbreaks, diseases, emotional and social problems. God loves us and does not want us to suffer unnecessary pain. Though sexual immorality brings pleasure, it will not last long. When you consider its many dire consequences, you will soon realize that it is not worth the risk.
God’s word is very clear. He wants us to flee sexual immorality.
(2) Christians are called to love, not to lust. There are a lot of unmarried couples who use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to participate in pre-marital sex. Often, this sexual act leads to unwanted and unplanned pregnancy. Sadly, some resort to abortion just to correct their mistakes.
(3)You can celebrate LOVE without Valentine’s Day. Why do many Christians limit their love to a specific day, in this case, Valentine’s Day. Wouldn’t it be great to demonstrate your love every single day? Married couples or those who are in a relationship can show their love and concern every day and not wait for Valentine’s Day to arrive.
(4)The Biblical definition of love is this: For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome (1st John 5:3)
God’s definition of love is keeping His commandments. The commandments of God are there because He loves us. The commandments of God gives us the guidelines of how to have a fulfilling, blessed, and joyful love.
Who should we follow? God or man?
Whom should we please? God or man?
Who should we believe? God or man? (Mark 9:6-8)
(5) God is not impressed when He is not worshiped in truth. God is love and Love is Godly.
We need to stop and ask, How does God want me to worship Him?
Jesus said, God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in Truth (John 4:24).
(6) God commands us not to conform to the world. Valentine’s Day is very popular in the world. It caters to the lust of the very human nature that we have. However, God expects us Christians to overcome our human nature and be more like God and less like us. (2nd Corinthians 6:14-18)
Parents should advise their wards on the dangers of lust and how it can affect their lives.
Religious organizations should pass the message of love to their congregations and organise picnics/ seminars to orient young Christian brethren on what true love signifies.
Young Christian Ladies and Men should not get carried away with the immoralities of Valentine’s day but embrace the love of God.
Giving alms to the needy, exchange of gifts, loving our neighbours as ourselves.
True love should be shown every day as God shows us his love always.
May God Almighty bless our young men and women and show them the right path in Jesus name. Amen. Hosanna
Celica Church of Christ
KM7, New Ife Road, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
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