Passion is often seen as a driving force in our lives, but what does the Bible say about it? Scripture talks about both positive and negative passions, encouraging believers to be passionate about God’s kingdom and to guard against destructive desires. Let’s explore what the Bible says about living with passion.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Angels Protecting Us
What Does The Bible Say About Passion
Psalm 37:4
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
This verse reminds us that when we have a passion for God and seek to please Him, He will align the desires of our heart with His will. As we find joy in serving and pursuing Him, He will fulfill the deepest longings of our soul.
We are encouraged to prioritize our relationship with God and trust that He will guide and fulfill our passions in ways that are pleasing to Him. It serves as a reminder that true fulfillment comes when our passions are aligned with God’s purposes.
Matthew 22:37
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”
Jesus teaches us that our passion should be directed towards loving God wholeheartedly. To love God with all our heart, soul, and mind implies a fervent desire to know Him, honor Him, and live in obedience to His Word.
This verse challenges us to examine where our passions lie and to redirect them towards our relationship with God. When our passion is centered around loving God, it becomes the driving force in all that we do, shaping our thoughts, actions, and decisions.
Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
This verse encourages us to approach our passions and pursuits with wholehearted dedication, viewing them as opportunities to honor God. It reminds us that our work, hobbies, and talents can be used as a platform to glorify Him.
When we have a passion for something, we should give our best effort, not for the approval of others but as an offering to God. This verse reminds us that our passion should be motivated by a desire to serve and please the Lord in all that we do.
Proverbs 16:3
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
When we have a passion for something, it is important to surrender it to the Lord and seek His guidance and approval. This verse reminds us that as we commit our plans and desires to God, He will establish them and bring about success in His perfect timing.
Our passion should be rooted in seeking God’s will above our own, trusting that He knows what is best for us. As we align our passion with His purposes, we can have confidence that He will lead and guide us along the right path.
Romans 12:11
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
This verse exhorts us to maintain a fervent spirit and unwavering passion for serving the Lord. It reminds us that our passion should not waver or diminish but rather be fueled by an earnest desire to honor God and make a difference in the world.
Our passion should be evident in the way we live our lives, wholeheartedly pursuing God’s purposes and serving others with love and devotion. This verse challenges us to continuously fan the flame of our spiritual fervor and remain diligent in our pursuit of God’s kingdom.
Psalm 119:131
“I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments.”
This verse expresses a passionate longing for God’s commandments. It emphasizes the importance of having a fervent desire to know and follow God’s Word, recognizing its significance in shaping our lives.
Our passion should be directed towards growing in our understanding of God’s truth and living according to His precepts. This verse inspires us to thirst for a deeper knowledge of God’s ways and to pursue righteousness with great zeal and enthusiasm.
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Jesus instructs us to prioritize seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness above all else. This verse reminds us that our passion should be centered around aligning our lives with God’s purposes and living in accordance with His will.
When we passionately pursue God and prioritize His kingdom, He promises to provide for our needs. This verse calls us to shift our focus from earthly desires to seeking the goodness and righteousness of God, trusting that He will supply all that we need.
Psalm 40:8
“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”
This verse reflects a passionate desire to do God’s will and live in obedience to His commands. It highlights the importance of aligning our desires with God’s purposes and allowing His Word to guide our actions.
When our passion is directed towards pleasing God and following His ways, His law becomes engraved in our hearts, shaping our thoughts and actions. This verse serves as a reminder that our greatest fulfillment comes when our desires are submitted to the will of God.
Proverbs 3:6
“In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
This verse encourages us to surrender our plans and passions to the Lord, trusting His guidance to lead us on the right path. It reminds us that when we submit to God’s will and seek His direction, He will make our paths straight.
Our passion should be accompanied by a humble and teachable spirit, allowing God to order our steps and direct our decisions. This verse reminds us to seek His wisdom in all areas of our lives, acknowledging His sovereignty and authority over our paths.
Psalm 42:1
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.”
This verse uses the imagery of a deer longing for water to illustrate a soul that passionately yearns for God’s presence. It expresses the idea that our passion for God should be characterized by a deep thirst and hunger for Him.
Just as a deer cannot survive without water, our souls cannot experience true satisfaction and fulfillment without the presence of God. This verse calls us to cultivate a passionate pursuit of God, consistently seeking Him and finding our soul’s true satisfaction in Him alone.
Jeremiah 9:24
“but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
This verse challenges us to find our greatest passion and boasting in knowing and understanding the Lord. It reminds us that true fulfillment and joy come from our relationship with Him and experiencing His kindness, justice, and righteousness.
Our passion should be rooted in the knowledge of God’s character and the desire to reflect His attributes in our own lives. This verse reminds us that our greatest delight should come from knowing and experiencing the goodness of the Lord.
Psalm 63:1
“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”
This verse expresses a passionate pursuit of God amidst challenging circumstances. It portrays a deep longing and thirst for God’s presence, acknowledging that only He can satisfy the soul’s deepest desires.
Our passion for God should not be stifled by external circumstances but should intensify in times of spiritual drought. This verse reminds us to seek God wholeheartedly, especially in the times when our souls are longing for His refreshment and renewal.
Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Jesus’ words in this verse highlight the blessedness of those who have a deep hunger and thirst for righteousness. It emphasizes that our passion for righteousness and living in alignment with God’s ways will lead to fulfillment and satisfaction.
Our longing for righteousness should be marked by an intense desire to honor God and live in obedience to His Word. This verse encourages us to pursue righteousness with fervor, knowing that God will satisfy our spiritual hunger and bless us abundantly.
Psalm 119:97
“Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.”
This verse reveals a passionate love for God’s law, emphasizing the importance of meditating on His Word consistently. It illustrates the delight and devotion that should accompany our pursuit of understanding and applying God’s truths.
Our passion for God’s Word should extend beyond mere knowledge to a genuine love and affection for His commands. This verse inspires us to devote ourselves to the study and meditation of God’s Word, allowing it to shape our thoughts and actions.
Proverbs 16:9
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
This verse reminds us that while we may have plans and passions, ultimately it is the Lord who directs and establishes our paths. It calls us to seek God’s will and trust Him to guide and order our steps.
Our passion should be accompanied by a willingness to surrender our plans to God, trusting that He knows what is best for us. This verse encourages us to align our desires with God’s purposes and humbly submit to His leading in all areas of our lives.
Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of God’s Word in guiding our lives and illuminating our path. It portrays the Bible as a source of wisdom and direction, providing clarity and guidance for our decisions and actions.
Our passion should be rooted in the study and application of God’s Word, understanding its power to shape our lives. This verse encourages us to rely on the Scriptures as a source of light and guidance, trusting that it will lead us on the right path.
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
These verses call us to passionately pursue our faith, just as athletes run with perseverance towards the finish line. It reminds us to cast off anything that hinders our spiritual progress and remain focused on Jesus, the ultimate example of faith.
Our passion should be characterized by endurance and a relentless pursuit of Christlikeness, overcoming obstacles and distractions along the way. This passage inspires us to fix our eyes on Jesus and wholeheartedly run the race of faith, knowing that He is the one who empowers and perfects our faith.
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
This verse highlights the importance of wholeheartedly serving God and not allowing our passion for worldly wealth or possessions to overshadow our devotion to Him. It emphasizes the need to prioritize our allegiance and affection towards God above all else.
Our passion should be directed towards serving God as our ultimate master, without allowing material possessions or pursuits to distract or compete for our devotion. This verse reminds us that true fulfillment and satisfaction come from seeking and serving God alone.
Romans 12:12
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
These words encourage us to maintain a passionate and unwavering faith in all circumstances. It reminds us of the importance of finding joy in our hope in God, displaying patience in times of difficulty, and remaining faithful in our communication with Him through prayer.
Our passion should thrive even in the face of challenges, as we trust in God’s promises and rely on His strength. This verse calls us to be unshakable in our hope, patient in adversity, and steadfast in our commitment to prayer.
Proverbs 4:23
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of protecting and cultivating a passionate heart for God, recognizing that all aspects of our lives are influenced by the condition of our heart. It calls us to be intentional in guarding and nourishing our love for God.
Our passion for God should be reflected in our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. This verse serves as a reminder to prioritize the condition of our hearts, ensuring that our passion for God remains unwavering and genuine.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
This verse highlights the importance of living a life filled with passion for God, recognizing that every action can be an opportunity to bring glory to Him. It reminds us that our passion should extend to every aspect of our lives.
Our pursuit of God should shape our daily activities, decisions, and interactions, and everything we do should be done with the intention of bringing honor and glory to God. This verse challenges us to live a life that reflects our heartfelt passion for God.
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
This verse speaks of a passionate surrender to Christ, acknowledging that our old selves have been crucified with Him and we now live by faith in Him. It emphasizes the importance of allowing Christ to dwell within us and guide our lives.
Our passion should be rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus, willingly submitting our lives to His lordship. This verse reminds us that our lives should be driven by faith in the sacrificial love of Christ, who gave Himself for our redemption.
Psalm 37:7
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
This verse encourages us to have a passionate trust and patience in the Lord’s timing and plans. It urges us not to be consumed by jealousy or worry when others appear to succeed in their wrongful ways.
Our passion should include a deep reliance on God’s sovereignty, trusting that He will bring about justice and fulfill His purposes in His perfect timing. This verse reminds us to remain still before the Lord, finding peace and contentment as we wait on Him.
2 Timothy 1:7
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
This verse reminds us that our passion should be accompanied by the power, love, and self-discipline that comes from the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. It encourages us not to be timid but to embrace and use the spiritual gifts and abilities God has given us.
Our passion should be marked by boldness, motivated by a deep understanding of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This verse exhorts us to live with confidence, utilizing the spiritual resources available to us to fulfill our God-given purposes.
As Christians, our passion should be centered around loving and serving God wholeheartedly. These verses remind us that our pursuit of God should be characterized by a fervent desire to know, honor, and obey Him. Our passion should extend to every aspect of our lives, shaping our thoughts, actions, and decisions. Whether it is our work, relationships, or personal pursuits, we are called to do everything for the glory of God and seek His kingdom above all else. To maintain this passion, we need to guard our hearts, continuously seek God’s guidance, and remain steadfast in our faith. In doing so, our passion will lead us to experience the joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction that comes from living a life devoted to God.