Winning at Love

Some players in online poker have outrageous screen names -- and that can lead to some downright bizarre heads-up matches.  We couldn't resist commenting on this recent clash....


pornking: nothin ever laid in stone
Me: Porn vs. love
Dealer: love1more wins Main Pot ($2450) with Full house, jacks full of fives
Me: Love prevails.
Me: (as it should)

Yes, you read it correctly -- "love1more" defeated "pornking."

We're not sure why anyone would want to attach "porn" to their name.  But casinos sometimes come close to the pornographic line in their advertising, with pictures of attractive and seductively-dressed women.  We've never been in a poker room where the dealers looked that sexy.  But the appeal with women has something in common with the appeal for men to gamble....

You lust, and have not; you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain.... You ask and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts. - James 4:2-3 (KJV)

Lust is a bad-sounding Bible word -- and the Bible shows nothing really good about it.  In the original Greek New Testament, this word refers to a "longing" for something.

Not all longings are bad, but some of them can be dangerous.  Long too much for (or lust after) a payday at a poker cash game, and you could wind up broke.  Lust after displays of pornography, and you can ruin a marriage or healthy romantic relationship.

We think it's better to have a longing for love -- as in the love of God.  In fact....

Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment." - Matthew 22:37-38

How do we do that?  The Bible offers several ways:

This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome. - I John 5:3
Each man should give what he had decided in his heart to give.... for God loves a cheerful giver. - II Corinthians 9:7

We invite you to search through the Bible and add to this list.  (Leave a comment with what you find.)  Then do what the apostle Paul recommends.  Instead of lusting or longing for destructive things, or even people....

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. - Ephesians 5:1-2