UNLOCKING LOVE WORDS PART 1

In our fast-paced modern world, where connections can often feel fleeting and superficial, it's worth exploring what truly binds us to God, to one another, and to the things that bring us joy. As someone who has been studying languages for several decades, I've always been fascinated by how words shape our understanding of abstract concepts. English, for all its versatility, has some notable limitations in this area. Take the word "love," for instance. It's our go-to word for everything from casual affections to deep commitments. This can make it tricky to convey subtle points without extra explanation.

Consider the difference between saying, "I love ice cream" and "I love my wife." Both use the same word, but the depths of emotion couldn't be more different. We end up relying on context, tone, or adjectives to clarify our intentions, which can weaken the message. In contrast, ancient Greek offers a richer palette with distinct terms for various types of love. To name a few of its terms, Greek uses "Eros" which means passionate, romantic, or erotic love. "Philia" means deep friendship or brotherly love. Do you remember Philadelphia, the city (delphi) of brotherly love (philia)? What about "Agape" meaning unconditional, selfless love, which describes the love God has for our world (John 3:16)?

Romance languages, such as French, Italian, and Spanish, employ a similar approach by using different phrases to convey varying degrees of affection. In Mexican Spanish, for example, "Me gusta" translates to "I like" and is ideal for everyday preferences, such as "Me gusta pescar" (I like to fish). "Me encanta" is a step up, meaning "I love" in the sense of strong enthusiasm, as in "Me encanta el chocolate" (I love chocolate or it enchants me!). "Te quiero" conveys "I love you" in a warm, affectionate way, often used with friends, family, or early romantic interests. It stems from "querer," which can mean "to want" or "to love" depending on context. You probably remember the famous Taco Bell ad from the '90s featuring the little Chihuahua saying, "Yo quiero Taco Bell." And finally, "amor" evokes the essence of true, heartfelt love. "Te amo" is what I say to my wife when I call her " Mi cariña" (my darling). It is reserved for romantic love, expressing deep, heartfelt commitment.

Now that I have laid a foundation, we can begin to explore the concept of "noetic" love of God and its intersection with human relationships. At its core, noetic love of God refers to a profound form of love experienced through the intellect of the soul, rather than mere emotions. In my opinion, if there is one error in the Pentecostal movement, it is overemphasizing feelings and underestimating the need for the intellectual component associated with living for God. That is not to denigrate the emotional, heartfelt demonstration of the moving of the Spirit of God among us. In fact, Jesus said, "...they that worship Him (God) must worship Him in spirit AND (my emphasis) in truth" (John 4:24).

I believe I have precedent in the Word of God that demonstrates the Spirit's emphasis on those living for God to utilize their intellect. Most of the men that Jesus chose to be part of His inner circle were uneducated people. I have met people in my ministry who wore "ignorance" as a badge of honor. They relished the fact that they had no formal educational training. Paul was not one of those types.

Paul “laid out his pedigree” most clearly in Philippians 3:4–6, and secondarily in 2 Corinthians 11:21–23. Granted, his purpose was not to boast, but to show how deeply his former identity once relied on religious credentials. He was placing his degrees in proper perspective and position by declaring all of them worthless in comparison to his belonging to Christ. I can't help but remember the scripture in Revelation 4:10, where crowns will be cast at the foot of His throne. That is their way of showing their understanding that those crowns were earned only by the grace of God.

My own personal history delineates how God's grace repeats itself again and again. I dropped out of high school at the age of 16. My complete focus was on enjoying all fleshly sensuous desires, whether through drug-induced experiences or other means. Once I came to the Lord, my life reversed, and I was awakened to my misstep away from education. To be a valid witness to others whom I knew God would introduce me to, I would need an education. Long story short, I began to train my brain to critically evaluate scripture and search for the tools to win the lost, first to me and then to God. I learned how to draw people to me through being educated and saturated with the Spirit of God, which I gained through prayer and fasting. Today, I hold a bachelor's degree in psychology, five master's degrees, and a doctorate in clinical psychology. I mention these only to show that none of those "crowns" would have been earned if it were not for the second chance God gave me the night He filled me with the Holy Ghost. I will be happy to throw all those earned crowns at His feet on that great and notable day!

Paul was not ashamed of his credentials. Neither did he count them as evidence of having apprehended that which he was apprehended (Philippians 3:12). He saw them as a means to an end, which was being all things to all men that by all means he might win some (1 Corinthians 9:22). He did not negate the fact that he was educated. He was not ashamed of it, and it was evident in his writings and preaching.

There is a bearing to those who have knowledge or wisdom beyond what others may have. They look at the world and society through a different lens. And then when the Holy Ghost enters a person's life, they receive a new mind, a spirit of humility. Add education to the natural mind in conjunction with a spiritually renewed mind (2 Timothy 1:7), and such a person can be used by God to peer deeper into the mind of God, which is revealed in the written word, the Bible. Am I saying it is a requirement for a person to be educated to live for God? Absolutely not! Not everyone who receives the Spirit of God must be educated. In some things, ignorance is golden. However, beyond Paul, there is a multitude of educated people mentioned in Scripture.

Moses was raised in the house of Pharaoh (Acts 7:22), which suggests that he was taught the full curriculum that all the other children of the king received. This would include the ability to read and write hieroglyphics, hieratic writing (used in government), and the international diplomatic language known as Akkadian. He would have been taught science, medicine, architecture, literature, wisdom, and moral ethics, among other subjects. Oh, and don't forget the wisest man on earth (1 Kings 4:31), outside of Jesus. The man named Solomon was peaceful. A person, the elite of the world, came from the four corners of the earth to wonder after his cognitive abilities. Beyond their intellectual abilities, their walk with God placed them in a position of notoriety, alongside some of the least educated.

Look at how the educated people of Jesus' day marveled when the disciples were called in question before the Sanhedrin. They were shocked at how much those disciples knew. They looked at one another and asked, “How does this man know letters, having never learned?” (John 7:15). Also, in Acts 4:13, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” That does not mean they were not trained or educated. Actually, they had been educated by the most intelligent, knowledgeable teacher of all, both in time and out of time, Jesus the Christ. Notice how those men who were unlearned had power with God. How much more can those who have disciplined themselves to learn?

Be sure to read my follow-up blog on the "noetic" love for God.