The True Source of Love - You Can’t Find Love in a Dictionary

Alright, everyone, gather ‘round, because today we're talking about something that gets tossed around a lot—love. Now, we’ve all heard the word a million times, right? People say, “I love pizza,” “I love my dog,” “I love my new shoes,” and then, of course, the classic “I love you” – but here’s the thing: Love? Real, true love? You’re not going to find it in the dictionary. In fact, if you look it up, you might just find a list of things that have absolutely nothing to do with real, God-given love. It’s like the dictionary forgot the real definition.

The dictionary lists things like infatuation, yearning, and lust as synonyms for love, but hold up—that’s not love. Those feelings might feel intense and compelling (especially in a rom-com), but they’re fleeting. We all know the story: You meet someone, your heart races, you have that “spark,” and next thing you know, you’re sending each other sappy texts like “You complete me.” But that feeling can disappear faster than a pizza at a fraternity when the relationship hits a rough patch. That’s not love. That’s like calling a sugar rush “sustenance.”

Why? Because God is love, and you can’t define love unless you know God. Stick with me here. We're going to break this down and have some fun along the way.

God Is Love – Seriously, He’s the Only True Source

Let’s start at the beginning. In 1 John 4:8, it says, "Whoever does not know love does not know God, because God is love." Okay, let that sink in for a second. God IS love. Not “He knows love” or “He shows love” — He IS love. That means everything you think you know about love—whether it’s hearts, chocolates, or puppy dog eyes—starts and ends with Him. If you want to know what love really looks like, stop looking at the Hallmark channel for a second (as tempting as those love stories are), and look to God.

Because when we talk about love, we’re not talking about an emotion that comes and goes, like that feeling you get when you find out your favorite show got renewed for another season. I mean, that’s a kind of love, right? But God’s love is a steady, unwavering, unconditional love that doesn't change based on how your day went. You’re not gonna lose God’s love because you burned the toast or accidentally ruined your online order. His love is solid, secure, and everlasting.

Why the World’s Definition of Love is... Well, a Little Off

Now, here’s where it gets tricky. Society has a lot of “ideas” about love. You’ve probably heard all kinds of definitions: “Love is a feeling,” “Love is unconditional,” “Love is a choice,” “Love is blind,” and on and on. And yeah, some of these sound good in theory, but if we’re being honest, they miss the mark. Love isn’t just an emotion. You can’t base love on a fleeting feeling because feelings come and go like the weather.

Here’s the thing: the world has created a lot of counterfeit versions of love. Society wants to tell you that love is about finding “the one” or getting into a relationship that gives you butterflies. It’s like we’re all on this crazy search for a perfect match – like some kind of romantic scavenger hunt – but the problem is, we’re all looking in the wrong places. We chase after a version of love that’s often conditional, self-serving, and driven by what we can get, not what we can give. And when that doesn’t work out, we start thinking we’ve somehow failed at love.

But here’s the truth: True love isn’t found in people or things—it’s found in God. End of story. People will disappoint you, material things will wear out, but God’s love? It’s eternal.

Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places

Let’s be real for a second—people are desperate for love. And I mean desperate. It’s like we’re all trying to fill this God-sized hole in our hearts with the next shiny object. We look for love in relationships, in our jobs, in our achievements, in likes on social media, or maybe even in a piece of cheesecake. And don’t get me wrong, cake is delicious—but cake isn’t going to complete you, no matter how many slices you eat.

We’ve all heard the phrase “falling in love,” right? And I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with romantic love – love is beautiful, especially when it’s shared between a husband and wife who are both deeply in love with Christ. But here's where I want to challenge you: “falling” in love sounds so... accidental. Like, “Oops! I tripped, and now I’m in love!” But real, lasting love isn’t accidental. It’s intentional. It’s a decision you make every day to love God first, and then let that love overflow into every other relationship you have.

You can’t find the one if you don’t first know the One—and that’s Jesus. Without Jesus, you’re just playing a guessing game with your emotions, hoping you find someone who somehow matches all your expectations. Spoiler alert: it’s not going to work out as you hope. You need to love God first. Then, when the right person comes along, the love you share will be rooted in the right foundation. You’ll be able to love each other the way God intended.

Marriage: The Ultimate Love Story

Okay, so what about marriage? We’ve talked a lot about love, but what does it mean when we’re looking for a spouse? Here’s a little nugget of truth: A husband and wife should be in love with Christ first and foremost. That’s the secret sauce to a successful marriage.

In Ephesians 5:25, Paul tells husbands, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” So, let’s get this straight: when you’re loving your wife, you’re supposed to love her the same way Jesus loves the Church—which means sacrificial, selfless, and with a whole lot of grace. If you’re a guy and you thought marriage was just about finding someone who makes your heart race (though, that’s nice too), you missed the memo. It’s about loving your spouse with the love of Christ.

Ladies, if you’re looking for a guy to marry, make sure he’s got that kind of love. Someone who loves Jesus more than anything else. Why? Because when two people are deeply in love with Christ, their love for each other will be as strong as a two-ply paper towel—unbreakable and useful in all kinds of situations.

Love is a Choice – And It Starts with God

Here’s the kicker: love is a choice. It’s not just a feeling. Feelings come and go like the tide. But when you choose to love God first and foremost, you can love others with that same unshakeable, unconditional love. So, next time you think about “falling in love,” remember—falling might sound nice, but standing firm in love? That’s what counts.

So, stop looking for love in all the wrong places. The true source of love is God, and everything else is just a reflection of Him. If you want love that doesn’t quit, that’s unwavering and steadfast, look to God. Let His love fill you up, and then let that love spill over into the relationships around you.

Conclusion: Get to Know the Source of Love

So, in conclusion: You don’t need a dictionary to know what love is, because God already defined it. If you don’t know God, you can’t truly know love. When you know Him, everything changes. You’ll love like He does, you’ll love deeper than the world ever taught you, and you’ll find peace in knowing that God’s love for you is constant, unconditional, and unshakable.

Ladies and gentlemen, remember this: True love doesn’t come from a Hallmark card or a love song on the radio. It comes from the One who is love—God. And when you’ve got that love, everything else falls into place.

Amen!