1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT) says, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
God didn’t leave us confused about what love is supposed to look like. He gave us a clear picture—one that’s pure, selfless, and strong enough to endure anything. But let’s be honest: the culture we’re living in today doesn’t line up with that picture. Society paints love as something selfish, controlling, and fragile—something that falls apart the moment someone doesn’t get their way. What God calls love, the world calls weakness. And what God says is wrong, the world often celebrates.
One of the biggest problems we see in relationships today is control. People have allowed fear to take such a strong grip on their hearts that they think the only way to feel secure is to control the other person. But here’s the truth: that’s not love—that’s bondage. Love creates freedom; fear creates prison.
Think about it—God had every right to control us. He’s our Creator, and He could’ve made us like robots, programmed to obey Him, praise Him, and serve Him without question. But that’s not what He wanted. He wanted real love. Love that’s freely given, not forced. He gave us a choice because real love always provides a choice.
When someone feels the need to control another person, it reveals something deeper: a lack of trust in God. Because when we trust God with our relationships, our security, and our future, we don’t have to manipulate people or situations to feel safe.
1 Corinthians 7:23 (NLT) reminds us, “God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.” We’ve already been purchased—paid for with the precious blood of Jesus. No human being has the right to own us, and we were never created to be anyone’s possession. We belong to God alone.
And let’s not forget what 1 Peter 2:16 (NLT says: “For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.” Our freedom isn’t meant for selfishness, manipulation, or control. It’s meant for love, service, and truth.
Whenever we see a relationship built on control, we can be sure that it’s not rooted in God’s love. It’s rooted in fear, insecurity, and a lack of faith. Real love—God’s love—doesn’t have to control. It trusts. It releases. It chooses to love, not out of fear of losing someone, but out of the freedom God has given us through Jesus Christ. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Love Provides a Choice”, written by KLizzie, edited by Reverend Fran Mack, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.
