Love is a Sacrifice: Giving up the Flesh

The world often defines love as an intense feeling, a powerful magnetic attraction, or a romantic fairy tale. But the Bible presents a radically different, and far more demanding, definition.

The Greek word often translated as the highest form of love in Scripture is agapē—a love that is not based on emotion or merit, but on deliberate, costly sacrifice. True love is not about what we feel; it’s about what we are willing to give up. And the greatest thing we must relinquish to fully embrace this love is the desires of our own flesh.

The Immeasurable Cost of Agape

The ultimate illustration of sacrificial love is Jesus Christ. The Apostle John tells us, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13, ESV). Jesus did not merely speak about love; He enacted it on a cross.

His sacrifice was not a spontaneous gesture, but a deliberate choice to abandon comfort, reputation, and even life itself for the sake of others—a clear demonstration that love is sacrifice (Romans 5:8). When we choose to love biblically, we are choosing to imitate this pattern of costly giving. This brings us to the biggest impediment to that choice: the flesh.

The Constant War with the Flesh

In the New Testament, "the flesh" (sarx) is much more than just our physical body. It refers to our inherent, fallen, selfish nature—the part of us that constantly resists God and puts self-interest above everything else.

The Apostle Paul describes this tension as an ongoing war: "For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do" (Galatians 5:17).

The language of the flesh is: My way. My comfort. My needs. My schedule. My reputation.

The language of love (agapē) is: Your needs. Your comfort. Your well-being. What can I give?

These two languages cannot coexist in the same heart. To speak the language of love, we must silence the voice of the flesh.

The Daily Act of Crucifixion

Giving up the flesh is the practical, daily sacrifice required for true love to thrive. It’s a moment-by-moment crucifixion of self-centered impulses.

What does this sacrifice look like in your life?

Giving Up the Right to be Right: When the flesh demands you win an argument, love chooses humility and peace.
Giving Up Personal Comfort: When the flesh desires to rest, love gets up to serve a spouse, a neighbor, or a child.
Giving Up Self-Pity and Resentment: When the flesh nurses a grudge or holds onto a past hurt, love chooses to forgive as Christ forgave us.
Giving Up Selfish Ambition: When the flesh drives us to climb a ladder at the expense of our character or family, love pursues faithfulness and integrity.

Paul reminds us that this isn't optional for believers: "And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:24). We have been given the Holy Spirit to empower this "crucifixion" and help us choose selfless love over selfish desire.

Sacrificing the flesh is painful because it means denying our deeply ingrained instinct to prioritize self. But it is only by laying down the weights of ego, resentment, and ambition that we find the freedom to truly love—a costly, powerful, and life-changing love that mirrors the heart of God Himself.

Are Horoscopes Harmless Fun, or Do They Conflict with Faith? A Biblical Perspective

It's almost impossible to avoid horoscopes today. From daily newspaper columns to apps and social media feeds, snippets of astrological predictions about our love lives, careers, and personalities are everywhere. For many, they're just a bit of lighthearted fun, a conversation starter, or a way to pass the time. But for those rooted in Christian faith, a question often arises: Are horoscopes compatible with a biblical worldview?

Let's dive into what the Bible has to say about seeking guidance from the stars.

The Bible's Clear Stance:

A Warning Against Divination

The most direct and consistent biblical message regarding practices like astrology and horoscopes falls under the broader category of divination. Divination is the attempt to gain secret knowledge or foretell the future through means other than God. And on this, the Scriptures are remarkably clear:

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 is perhaps the most explicit warning: "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord..." Strong words indeed.
Leviticus 19:26 echoes this sentiment: "Do not practice divination or seek omens."
The prophet Isaiah, in chapter 47:13-14, mocks the astrologers and stargazers of Babylon, highlighting their inability to predict or prevent their own downfall, underscoring the futility of relying on such practices.

These passages indicate that seeking knowledge or guidance from astrological charts is not just discouraged, but is viewed as an "abomination" or "detestable" in the eyes of God.

The Conflict of Authority: God vs. the Stars

At the heart of the conflict is a question of authority and trust. Where do we place our reliance for wisdom, understanding, and knowledge of our path?

The biblical message is unwavering: God alone is the ultimate source of truth, wisdom, and control over our destiny.

Proverbs 3:5-6 famously advises: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
When we turn to horoscopes for insight into our personality or future, we are, in essence, looking to creation (the stars and their perceived influence) rather than the Creator (God). This can inadvertently become a form of idolatry, giving something other than God a place of undue influence in our lives.

The True Purpose of Celestial Bodies

The Bible acknowledges the existence and grandeur of the stars, but defines their purpose very differently from astrology:

Genesis 1:14 tells us that God created the celestial bodies "for signs and for seasons and for days and years." Their role is to mark time, to bring light, and to separate day from night – not to dictate human fate or personality.
Psalm 19:1 beautifully declares: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." The stars are a testament to God's power and creative majesty, designed to point us to Him, not to be an independent source of guidance.

Harmless Fun? A Slippery Slope

For many, reading a horoscope is merely entertainment, a bit of cultural fluff with no real impact. However, from a biblical perspective, even casual engagement can be seen as problematic. It can:

Desensitize: Normalize practices that the Bible condemns.
Sow Doubt: Lead one to subtly question God's unique authority and omniscience.
Misplace Trust: Even unconsciously, it can shift reliance away from God's perfect will.

Where to Find True Guidance

Instead of consulting the zodiac, the Bible encourages believers to find wisdom, understanding, and direction through:

Prayer: Directly communicating with God.
Scripture: Studying the inspired Word of God.
The Holy Spirit: Seeking the guidance of the Spirit, who lives within believers.
Godly Counsel: Seeking advice from wise and faithful individuals.

The Takeaway

While horoscopes may seem like innocent entertainment in our modern world, a careful look at biblical teachings reveals a consistent message: seeking guidance or believing in the influence of horoscopes is incompatible with a faith that places all trust and authority in God alone. For those committed to a biblical worldview, the stars are magnificent declarations of God's glory, not a roadmap for our lives.

Freedom Page

Freed from Worldly Pursuits!