Is All Love Pure? A Deeper Look into Reality

In today’s culture, we hear the phrase “love is love” more frequently than ever. It’s used as a defense for many forms of relationships, particularly same-sex love, with the argument being that any love is inherently good and valid. But is that true? Is all love pure?

The Bible presents a far more nuanced and definitive view on love, revealing that love can be sinful when it is misdirected, arises from wrong desires, or produces bad fruit. This concept challenges the popular “love is love” mantra, which assumes all love is equally righteous. Let’s take a closer look at this idea from a biblical perspective and see what the scriptures really say about love, desire, and sin.

This conversation on love and moral choices parallels an earlier post I wrote about holding onto our pigs, a reference to the Gerasene demoniac in the Gospels. There, we explored the symbolism behind the pigs representing material comforts and sins that prevent us from fully embracing Jesus. Similarly, the idea of holding onto love that opposes God’s will is another form of clinging to the "pigs" in our lives.

The Nature of Sin and Our Desires

We all struggle with desires that don't align with God’s design. Whether those desires are sexual in nature or tied to other appetites, sin is present in our lives. A question often posed is: "If God created me, why do I have desires that go against His commands?"

This is a legitimate and personal struggle, but it points to the reality of the fallen world we live in. According to the Bible, we are all born with a sinful nature. This is not unique to any one person or group, but is a reality for all humanity due to the original sin in the Garden of Eden.

In a recent outreach by Frank Turek, he pointed out that it's not the feelings or desires that define us, but how we act on them. We are responsible for our actions and whether we choose to submit those desires to God’s will or indulge them. This reminds us that we are all in need of a Savior because none of us can live up to the perfect standard set by God. As Romans 3:23 tells us:

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

What Makes Love Sinful?

The idea that love can be sinful might seem counterintuitive to modern sensibilities, but the Bible is clear that not all forms of love are good or pure. In fact, Voddie Baucham provides a compelling breakdown of when and why love becomes sinful.

1. Love is Sinful When Directed at the Wrong Object

The Bible warns against loving things that are contrary to God’s will. 1 John 2:15 clearly states:

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

Here, the term "world" refers to the fallen system that operates in opposition to God. When we direct our love toward sinful things—whether that’s materialism, pride, or sinful relationships—we stray from God's path. Love that leads us away from God’s design, including love directed toward same-sex relationships, is considered sinful because it goes against the natural order that God has established.

2. Love is Sinful When it Arises from the Wrong Source

Our desires are not always holy. Sinful desires, also known as dishonorable passions, are described in Romans 1:26:

"For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature."

When love is fueled by disordered desires, it can lead us into sin. This doesn’t only apply to sexual sin but to all kinds of desires that arise from our fallen nature. For example, loving wealth, power, or fame more than God leads to a distortion of our values and actions. The source of our love must be God’s will, not our sinful nature.

3. Love is Sinful When it Produces the Wrong Fruit

Finally, love becomes sinful when it leads to outcomes that are contrary to God’s will. 1 John 2:17 warns us:

"And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

Love that produces bad fruit—such as brokenness, destruction, or separation from God—cannot be considered righteous. This is true not only in romantic relationships but in how we approach all aspects of life. Love that encourages sin or leads to negative consequences is not Godly love.

The Problem with “Love is Love”

The cultural mantra "love is love" assumes that all forms of love are equally valid and good. However, this argument doesn’t hold up when examined closely. We can all think of situations where love can be harmful. For example, love between an adult and a child is universally condemned, yet it could be justified by the “love is love” logic if taken to an extreme.

Voddie Baucham—in one of his sermons—gives the example of moral relativism in today’s culture, particularly with how society allows children to make decisions about their gender identity. He points out that if we validate children’s ability to make life-altering decisions at a young age, what’s to stop society from justifying even more dangerous forms of relationships?

This slippery slope reveals the moral confusion that occurs when we abandon the biblical standard of love and enter a world of subjective morality. The Bible teaches that there is a clear right and wrong, and God’s commands are meant to protect us, not restrict us.

Understanding God’s Design for Love

The Bible is clear that God is love (1 John 4:8), but this doesn’t mean that all forms of love are righteous. Love must align with God's design for it to be truly pure. In terms of romantic relationships, this means a heterosexual union within the bounds of marriage, as God established in the creation of man and woman (Genesis 2:24).

The Bible calls us to love one another, but that love must be based on God’s truth and not on our fallen desires. As Christians, we are called to speak the truth in love, especially when it comes to moral issues that our culture grapples with.

Conclusion: Love in Truth

As followers of Christ, we must stand firm in the understanding that not all love is righteous. While the world promotes the idea that all love is equal, the Bible provides clear guidance on the types of love that honor God and those that lead us into sin. Love is meant to reflect God’s goodness and truth, not just our desires.

True love leads us to life and fulfillment in Christ. When love is directed at the wrong object, fueled by sinful desires, or produces bad fruit, it leads us away from the life God has designed for us. As Romans 12:2 encourages:

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

In a world full of moral ambiguity, we are called to uphold God’s standards of love—even when it goes against popular culture. By understanding the difference between Godly love and sinful love, we can better navigate the challenges of modern life while staying rooted in biblical truth.

---

This blog post provides a biblical examination of love, sin, and culture, challenging the "love is love" narrative by offering scriptural insight into what makes love righteous or sinful. For a related discussion on the spiritual symbolism of holding onto sins, comforts, or material pursuits over Christ, check out my post on Why Did the Demons Ask Jesus for the Pigs?.