“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 NASB1995)

The above passage of Scripture is the “Verse Of The Day” on Bible Gateway, which is the Bible source I use for writing on the internet. My first thought was, “I just taught on the subject of ‘love’ recently,” so I began to look at the other verses to see if I should write on something else. And, as I was contemplating this in my mind, I looked over to my left, to a little sign made for me by one of my grandsons which says, “A Little Sign to Say I Love You.” But partly covering the word “say” was a red lady bug with dark spots.

And here’s the thing. When Jesus lived on the earth he often spoke to the people in parables. So, parables are not anti-biblical as long as they agree with and support the teachings of the Scriptures. I like this definition:

“A biblical parable is a short, realistic story or analogy using everyday scenarios—such as farming, fishing, or household tasks—to teach profound spiritual truths or moral principles. Primarily used by Jesus in the Gospels to describe the Kingdom of God, these narratives function as ‘earthly stories with heavenly meanings’.” (Source: Google AI)

So, when I see something like this bug, and the Holy Spirit prompts me, I know to look at the meanings of the words in the image. So, what is a bug? It can be many things, but what stands out to me is that it is an infection, a poison, an impurity of some kind. And “spot” (in this case multiple dark spots) is also a blemish or a moral flaw (sin), which are multiplied. And dark is used consistently throughout the Scriptures to symbolize the opposite of light, such as lies, deceptions, immorality, wickedness, i.e. sinful behaviors.

Okay, so this “bug” is positioned on the word “say,” which has to do with expressing thoughts, opinions, beliefs, and/or information, either in verbal or in written form. So this would seem to indicate that there is an impurity, a lie, a deception in the words spoken, “I love you.” (This has nothing to do with who gave me this sign. This is a parable only!) And “a little sign” could be a slight (an insult) and/or an insignificant indication of actual love being present in the words spoken. So, “I Love You” is a lie, and thus an insult.

Now in the USA today, February 14th is traditionally referred to as “Valentines Day.” This celebration has pagan roots to it, and the “love” being spoken of is typically of romantic love, not the kind of love being referred to in this passage of Scripture. But it is also used in the context of friendship love, too. And the color “red” is the color associated with the holiday, which interestingly enough was both the color of the little sign and of the lady bug. Like, “though your sins be as scarlet,” so symbolic of sin (Isaiah 1:18).

So, when Jesus gave the commandment to love one another as he loved (loves) us, he was not speaking of romantic love, and he was not speaking of fake artificial love (the sign was made of plastic) spoken falsely in words only but with little to no evidence of actual love being put into practice. For how did Jesus demonstrate his love for us? He sacrificed his life for us on a cross to put our sins to death with him so that, by faith in him, we will now die to sin and live to God in walks of surrender to him in obeying our Lord.

And this word “love” is agape, which has to do with preferring what God prefers, i.e. all that is holy, righteous, godly, morally pure, upright, honest, faithful, and obedient to our Lord and to his commands. For the believer in Christ, it involves us denying self, dying to sin daily, and walking in obedience to his commands, in practice, by the Spirit. So, when we say that we love God, or that we love other humans, it should be this kind of love which is honest, faithful, and pure, and not fake, impure, and deceptive.

So, if you claim to love God, and to be in fellowship with him, but while you walk in darkness (in sin), and while you do not obey his commands, in practice, the Bible says that you are telling a lie. And if you say to your spouse, “I love you,” while you deliberately and habitually sin against them via addiction to sexual sin and adultery, don’t call it love. Don’t lie. Don’t give your spouse a valentines card and a hug and a kiss if you are secretly looking at sexually explicit images and committing adultery in your minds.

Don’t call it love if it is hate in disguise. For adultery against your spouse is hate, not love. And refusal to obey our Lord’s commandments and to walk in love and in moral purity is also hate, not love. For biblical love is not based in emotions and in lies to cover up sin. And a valentines day card is not proof of love. If cheating is what is taking place in the background, it is an insult. Be honest. Be sincere. Don’t lie. Don’t cheat. Repent of sins of adultery and idolatry, and now love purely as God, as Christ loves us and sacrificed for us.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Acts 26:18]

In Harmony

Based off Romans 12:9-21; 1 Peter 3:8-17
An Original Work / September 2, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Love each other truly.
Cling to what is good.
Hate all that is evil.
Never lack in zeal.
Serve the Lord with fervor.
Joyful in hope be;
Patient in affliction;
Praying faithfully.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

Share with all God’s people
Who are found in need.
Do not be conceited.
Sympathetic be.
Love, and show compassion
In humility.
Keep your tongue from evil.
Peaceful you must be.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

God sees who are righteous;
Listens to their prayers.
But He’s against evil –
Is His to avenge.
Do not fear what they fear.
Suffer patiently.
In your hearts, make Christ Lord.
Serve Him faithfully.
Honor one another.
Live in harmony.

Don’t Call It Love If
An Original Work / February 14, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love