Passion; it is an appropriate Christian Response?

When we think of passion we think about people who are driven to succeed don't we? We hear others say, "You need to be passionate about winning souls for Christ". Sometimes people point to evidence of being "called" into ministry is a passionate desire to reach the lost. Passion seems to be important. Some people have passion in their jobs. They seek to bring in more sales than the month before. Some people are so driven to reach the top others might call them passionate in their pursuit of what they want to achieve. We might give a good argument that high achievers are passionate people. But the type of passion I want to explore is as it relates to relationships we have with people. I think it is good to be passionate and have passion. But I think it depends on the object of that passion. I see passion quickly moving into idolatry. Our passion for something can overwhelm our primary desire to glorify Christ. It becomes all that we think of. We have to be careful. Our passion can cloud good judgement because we cannot hear or see anything contrary to our own view. My mother is a passionate person. But she cannot hear any opposing view but her own. It is important to think soberly and consider carefully any decision we make. Paul mentions this continuously to the church in his letter to reason carefully. For instance he says to watch diligently our doctrine so that we might not fall into diverse sin. Keep watch he says. Christ says much of the same as well. He stated to his disciples to keep watch because the spirit is willing but the body is weak. Also we read that the devil goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. He is more than happy to pounce on someone who is not looking for him and is lulled asleep by relying on his own wisdom instead of depending on our Father's protective wing around him. So passion is a touchy thing and we must master our desires and not let them run away from us. Now as it pertains to relationships their is an extra guard here. Paul talks about relationships between men and women and says to the man to consider young women as sisters with absolute purity. Why? Because passion a man can have for a woman leads to the opposite of purity. It leads to sin in our minds then in our actions. We must honor the Lord by restraining passionate feelings towards the opposite sex. Colossians 3:5 in the ESV Paul states that passion must be put to death. Passion is not in keeping with God's holiness but is sinful in the eyes of God. I heard it said once that one prerequisite for marriage is that the two people must have passion for one another. I used to agree. I don't any longer. Passion seems to apply to a lack of self-control and the scripture is abundantly clear that this is wrong. Instead Paul states in 1 Corinthians 7 these words, "But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well." Against passion Paul says, "But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion." This is a concession that Paul makes. Passion is not a good thing. I have a son who may one day make a decision to marry. It may not be an impulse or a passion that drives him to it but because he has decided that she is good for him. For him it very much may be simply a realization that a friend he likes to spend time with is someone he cannot ever imagine not spending time with. He is a very level headed young man who is not given to any passion. He cool, calm and somewhat separated from things that other people get overly passionate or concerned and worry about. He just is not phased by things. I can imagine that perhaps he might marry to assure that she will remain his companion and friend for the rest of his life. This is no less romantic than two people who have become so madly in love that they need to get married or else they will slip into sin. We smile at this kind of love verses the steady, dedicated companionship attachment determined from a clear head and sober understanding of his or her needs as people. As I write these words my eyes tear up at the first case rather than the second. Our love for our partners should be based on sober reality rather than passionate fantasy. I say this because the passion will die down. What is left better be something built on lasting, firm ground as in a deep friendship else trouble lies ahead. -Joe