Good morning, Five Minute Families. This morning’s devotion is focused on the husband and wife of the family, and we will be speaking around certain words to remain kid friendly, but the concept discussed is not for kids, so please note that you may want to listen to this next five minutes privately if your kiddos are extremely curious or they are beginning to understand certain words but are not mature enough to deal with certain concepts. If you are hearing us on the radio and are wondering how to listen at another time, please know that you can hear the Five Minute Family as a podcast on your favorite listening platform, including Amazon, Spotify, PlayerFM, and more.

Today we will conclude our series about biblical loves. Agape, phileo, and storge loves are all specifically used in the New Testament, but the Greek word eros, or romantic love, is not explicitly used. It is, however, implicitly referenced in the New Testament as physical guidelines and boundaries are discussed in 1 Corinthians 7 verses 5, 8, and 9 as well as in Hebrews 13:4. Eros love is described in detail in the Old Testament in the Song of Solomon. Eros love is a good thing, though the root word has been used in other words that have been corrupted by the world.

Eros love is a holy, ordained physical love between a husband and wife. And, it is to be honored as Hebrews 13:4 states: “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the [] immoral and adulterous.” As a gift from God, we must remember to cherish and protect. God does not shy away from romantic love, and neither should we. Husbands and wives should study the Song of Solomon together if they are having any concerns in the area of romantic love. Some people want to shy away from the passionate illustrations of the Song of Solomon and explain them away by saying the verses are simply an analogy of God’s unending love for us, His bride. But, even if we do that, we must still address that God allowed the analogy to be based on the passionate, demonstrative love between a husband and a wife.

So, how does a Godly couple exemplify eros love?

1. Be communicative. Sharing your thoughts, feelings, desires, and concerns is important to improve how you and your spouse experience eros love. You cannot read each other’s minds, and communicating clearly will deepen your overall relationship with one another.

2. Be demonstrative. Husbands and wives need to understand one another’s needs and realize that eros love is not always just the final act. Some individuals do not ever want to hold hands in public, but others feel extra special when their spouse simply holds hand with them. Communicate your needs and desires for how your spouse can best demonstrates his or her love for you.

3. Be wise. Stay within the boundaries God has placed in this area of life. Following His design will produce a richer, more fulfilling eros love within your marriage.

4. Be protective. I heard a concept earlier this week that I think applies in numerous situations, including eros love, and that concept is to communicate the schedule. Sometimes, young parents will let the physical exhaustion of having young kids and older parents will let the emotional toll of having older kids weigh them down. It may seem counterintuitive to schedule your time together, but by making sure you have communicated your calendar and set aside time together, then you are showing your commitment to addressing one another’s romantic love needs.

5. Be proactive. You each must feel comfortable with your time together. Maybe, one of you is having a medical issue. Think through how that issue may affect your romantic love, and make a plan that will deal with the negatives that may come with it. Spend time anticipating one another’s needs and guard your time together no matter what life’s circumstances are coming your way.

If you have had any abuse or an assault in the past, please seek counsel from a qualified, respected counselor. When sin twists and distorts something that God created to be beautiful and wonderful, we often equate others who see the good with those who committed the bad. God knows your pain, and He can bring healing. It may take time, and for some people it will certainly take much more time than it will for others.

We thank you for joining us for this series about the different types of loves addressed in the Bible. May God reveal His love to you in an extraordinary way this week as you seek to glorify Him in all areas of loving each other. Be blessed!