LOVE vs RESPECT IN RELATIONSHIPS (BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE EXPLAINED)

 There was a vision, A simple but piercing moment.

Someone was asked, "Do you want love or respect as a person?"

Without hesitation, they answered, "Respect."

But then I spoke in the vision: "Jesus wasn't respected - so how are you 

getting respected - so how are you getting respected?"

At that moment, the person had no words. Silence filled the space, and truth

did all the speaking. 

The Respect the World Offers

Respect is a word people chase.

Respect in the workplace.

Respect in relationships.

Respect in society.

Yet respect is fragile - it shifts with moods, opinions,

status, and even appearances. The very crowd that praises you today

may mock you tomorrow.

Jesus Himself, who healed the sick, fed the hungry, and raised the dead,

was not respected. The same voices that cried "Hosanna!" soon cried 

"Crucify Him! (Mark 11:9; Mark 15:13).

Isaiah spoke of Him long before His birth:

"He is despised and rejected by men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him."
(Isaiah 53:3, NKJV)

If the Son of God - the only One who ever lived without

sin - was disrespected, rejected, and mocked, what does that

tell us about earthly respect?

The Love that Never Fails

While the world offered Jesus no respect, what He gave was

love. Eternal, unfailing love.

" Greater love has no one than this, than to
lay down one's life for his friends." (John 15:13, NKJV)

Respect may open doors in this world, but love opens the door

to eternity. Love is not earned by status or demanded by pride -

it is given by grace.

Lord Jesus didn't come looking for respect. He came to pour out love.

He didn't demand to be esteemed by men, He chose to redeem men.

And it is that same love that still reaches for us today.

Why the Question Matters

When the person in the vision chose "respect," they revealed

something we all must face; are we chasing the approval of 

people, or the eternal love of God?

Respect may look appealing, but it can vanish in an instant. 

Love, however, anchors us forever.

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13:8:

"Love never fails."

Respect fails. Opinions fail. Popularity fails. 
But love never fails - because love is Who God is (1 John 4:8).

A Kingdom Perspective

Heaven does not measure success by how respected you are on earth.

Heaven measures by love.


When Lord Jesus stood before Pilate, there was no respect in the courtroom - only

mockery, false accusations, and shouts for His death. Yet even then, His love held firm.

He went to the cross not because men respected Him, but because He loved them, even as 

they despised Him.


The Kingdom flips the script;

*The last will be first.

*The servant is the greatest.

*The despised are chosen.

*The weak are made strong.

Respect is a temporary crown. Love is an eternal inheritance.

Silence Before Truth

In the vision, the person had no words when confronted with the reality

that Lord Jesus was not respected. And that's the power of truth - it silences

human reasoning.

Sometimes silence is the sound of pride collapsing. Sometimes, silence

is the moment when a heart realizes what it's been chasing is not eternal.


When faced with Lord Jesus, no argument stands. Every tongue will confess

and every knee will bow. (Philippians 2:10-11).



Living Beyond Respect 


The vision challenges us: Are we satisfied with respect, or are we anchored in love?

To live beyond respect means:

* You don't live for applause, but for obedience.
 
* You don't measure your worth by titles, but by His truth.

* You don't crumble when dishonored, because His love holds you.

Jesus said in John 15:18:

"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you."

If they disrespected Him, we should not be surprised when they do the same to us. 

But just as He overcame, we overcome - because His love abides in us.


A Living Prayer


"Lord, thank You for showing me that Your love is far greater than the

fleeting respect of man. Let me not chase approval that fades, but remain

in the love that never fails. Remind me that if You were not respected, I cannot

expect to be either. Anchor me in Your love that cannot be moved. Glory."

Conclusion: The Greater Choice


So which will it be - love or respect?


The world may tempt us to choose respect, but Jesus has already

shown us the greater way. He was disrespected, despised, and 

mocked - yet He loved without end.


And because He loved, we live.

That is the eternal difference.

HOW TO HAVE A GOD CENTERED MARRIAGE (SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE EXPLAINED)

 Being married to someone I can get upset at so easily has taught me something 

priceless -things aren't happening in the natural realm alone. It's all spirit.

When my husband curses, calls names, raises his voice, or slams doors 

and cabinets, I've learned that these things are not the real war. 

They are symptoms of something deeper, something unseen.

The Bible tells us clearly in Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV):

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but 
against principalities, against powers, against the 
rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual
hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

When I first got married, it was easy to believe that every problem

was "him" and every hurt came from his words or actions. But as I've

grown in the Lord, I've learned to step back and see what's really happening.

My husband is just a man. He is not my enemy.

The enemy would love for me to get in the trap of reacting in the flesh - arguing 

back, keeping score, or letting bitterness grow. But when I remember that the 

true battle is spiritual, everything changes.

Choosing Patience Over Reaction

It's not that I've mastered patience overnight -it's that I've come to know

the Truth. And the Truth changes everything.

I have learned to breathe before I speak. To pause before I respond.  To ask

the Holy Spirit for wisdom instead of letting my emotions take control.

Proverbs 15:1 (NKJV) reminds us:

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a 
harsh word stirs up anger."

When voices get loud and tempers rise, my flesh wants to match that 

energy with my own volume. But the spirit in me calls me to answer

differently. Sometimes that means speaking gently; other times it means 

saying nothing at all and taking the matter to God in prayer.


This isn't weakness - it's warfare. My silence in the right moment is not

ignoring the problem; it's choosing to fight in the Spirit instead of the flesh.

Seeing My Husband the Way God Sees Him


One of the greatest shifts in my heart came when I asked the Lord,

"How do you see my husband?"


Because in the heat of the moment, all I could see was his faults. But God

reminded me - my husband is His creation. He is loved by God. And when 

I choose to look at him through the eyes of Christ, it softens my heart and

strengthens my prayers.


This doesn't mean I excuse wrong behavior or pretend it doesn't hurt. It 

means I understand there's a root cause beyond what I can see. If the 

root is spiritual, only God can change it.

So instead of just asking God to change my husband's action's, I pray

for his heart, his mind, and his spirit.

Refusing to Let the Enemy Win in My Home

The enemy knows that marriage is powerful.

Two becoming one is a threat to the kingdom of darkness. 

That's why he works so hard to sow discord, misunderstandings

and resentment.

But I have decided: Not in my home.

James 4:7 (NKJV) says:

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."


Every time I resist the urge to fight in the flesh, I am resisting the devil. 

Every time I pray instead of react, I am shutting the door to the enemy's

schemes.

Sometimes my victory is quiet. It's me whispering a prayer under my breath

while walking away from an argument. It's me choosing to keep my peace because

the peace of Christ is more important than winning the debate.

Letting My Response Come From the Spirit

The truth is, the real test of spiritual maturity isn't how well I worship when everything

is going right - it's how I respond when I'm provoked.


Will I let my flesh rise up, or will I let the Spirit lead me?

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) says:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such there 
is no law."

In marriage, all of these fruits get tested. Love gets tested when my

husband says something harsh. Joy gets tested when the atmosphere 

in the house gets tense. Peace gets tested when there's shouting in 

the next room.

But here's the thing: fruit grows under pressure. Every time I choose

the Spirit's way instead of my flesh's way. I'm letting those fruits ripen.

The Truth That Keeps Me Grounded

Here's the truth I hold onto: my husband is not my opponent;

the enemy is. My husband's flaws are not a reflection of my worth

or my Father's goodness - they're a reminder that every human being 

needs grace.

This doesn't mean I never address problems. It doesn't mean I let things

slide forever. But it does mean that before I deal with the situation in the 

natural. I deal with the situation in the Spirit.

I pray over my husband.

I pray over our marriage.

I pray over our home.

And I stand on the promises of Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)

"No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every
tongue which rises against you in judgement you shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness
is from Me," says the Lord.

Practical Ways I Fight Spiritually in Marriage

If you're in a similar situation, here are some practical ways to keep

your heart anchored in the Spirit:

1. Pause Before Responding - Even a few seconds of prayer
  
    before you speak can change the entire tone of the conversation.

2. Pray Over Your Spouse Daily - Call their name before the Lord,
  
   even when you're upset with them.

3. Keep Worship in Your Home - Play worship music or read scripture aloud; it

   shifts the atmosphere.

4. Speak Life - Don't let curses or harsh words be the only thing spoken. Speak 

  blessings over your marriage and your spouse.

5. Fast for Breakthrough - Sometimes the battle is deeper than what daily prayer

   can touch; fasting invites God's power into the fight.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for opening my eyes to the truth that my battles are not

with flesh and blood. Thank You for giving me patience, wisdom, and the fruits

of the Spirit to walk in love even when it's not easy. Teach me to see my husband

through Your eyes. Strengthen our marriage so that it glorifies You Lord. And 

let no weapon formed against our home prosper. 

In Jesus' Mighty Power Glorious Name,

Glory

HOW GOD PROVIDES FOR YOU (2 CORINTHIANS 9:10 EXPLAINED)

 "Now He Who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have 

sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness." -2 Corinthians 9:10 (NKJV)

There is something so holy - so incredibly personal - about watching the Lord show up in 

ways you didn't expect, but always perfectly timed. Today, I am overflowing with gratitude 

because I have witnessed, once again, how my Lord Jesus is the Supplier of Seed. 


It happened so simply and so beautifully. Someone called my son out of the blue to let him 

know they owed him money. Not only did they confess the debt, but they also said a 

portion of the money would be arriving today. Just like that no manipulation, no chase,

no reminders. Just God. Only God.

When something like this happens, I don't chalk it up to coincidence. I know better. I know 

my Jesus. This was a divine appointment, a setup from heaven. This was 2 Corinthians 9:10 

made real in my life - He's not just supplying seed for me, He's extending His supply 

to my household. That's how faithful He is. That's how deeply involved He is in the lives

of those who walk with Him.

He Supplies Seed to the Sower

This verse doesn't say He gives seed to anyone - it says He supplies seed to the sower. 

That matters. God gives seed to those who have made it a part of their life's rhythm to sow.

To those who aren't clutching their hand closed but keeping it open. To those who aren't 

hoarding what they've received, but are willing to pour it out in obedience. The seed

was never meant to stay in your hand- it's meant to go into His soil.


I'm a sower. And I say that with confidence, not pride. I sow my time, my words, my

writing, my prayers, and my faith into the hands of my Lord. Not one thing I have belongs 

to me - it's all His. And so when He sees a sower, He supplies.

If you want to live a life where provision flows freely, live a life where seed is always

being sown. Don't worry about the size of the seed. Sow what you have. He is the One

who gives the increase.

Bread for Food

It's not just seed He gives. The verse says He gives bread for food too. That means He

doesn't just give you what you can plant for later - He gives you what you need right

now. You don't have to wonder if you'll eat it. You don't have to beg for your next meal.

You don't have to worry about tomorrow's bills. If you are a sower, you're in covenant 

with the Supplier.

Some people think sowing means losing, but it actually means gaining. Every seed that 

leaves your hand enters the atmosphere of eternity, where time bends and miracles

begin. Every seed sown in faith becomes a divine conversation between heaven

and earth - one that your Father will never forget.

He Multiplies the Seed You Have Sown

This part of the verse grips my soul. It says He multiplies the seed you have already

sown. He doesn't just give you new seed; He remembers the seed you already gave. 

He honors it. He waters it. He watches over it.


Sometimes we think something is over and forgotten. That person you blessed. That

tithe you gave. That act of obedience. That seed you sowed in secret. Let me tell

you - it's not forgotten. Jesus never forgets. He is the Lord of the Harvest, and He

knows where every seed was buried. Even if the soil seemed dry or the environment

wasn't ideal - He remembers.

And when the time is right - He multiplies it.

He doesn't just add to your seed. He multiplies it. That's a Kingdom principle. 

That's how my Savior works. That's what makes this different from the world's

system. The world repays based on effort. But Jesus? He repays based on faith

and obedience.


Today, when my son received that phone call, I didn't just see money coming.

I saw the memory of a seed. I saw Jesus saying, "I haven't forgotten your 

faithfulness. I haven't overlooked your giving. Now watch what I do for your 

children."

Increase the Fruits of Your Righteousness


There's something bigger than provision happening when we live this way. The Lord 

is increasing the fruits of our righteousness. This means that every time we sow, every

time we trust, every time we walk in His Spirit - we're producing fruit that will 

remain.


You may not always see your fruit right away, but it's growing. Every day you choose 

to obey instead of compromise, every day you write for His glory, every day you walk

in love instead of offense - that's fruit. And He is the God who increases it.

He increases what you can't increase on your own.

He breathes on what you sow and makes it grow.

He strengthens your character through every test.

He matures your spirit in every season.

He causes your faith to deepen as your roots go down.

This is the increase of righteousness. That is the blessing of walking with the Lord.

Testimonies That Glorify

I'm not sharing this moment about my son for the applause of people.

I'm sharing it because it glorifies my Jesus. It tells the world that He sees. 

He cares. He responds. And He is not a man that He should lie.


You may be sowing right now and seeing no harvest yet. You may be

pouring out and wondering when the supply is coming back to

you. Let me encourage you - keep sowing.


Your seed has not gone unnoticed.

Your faith has not been ignored.

Your obedience is bringing multiplication.

And your righteousness is bearing fruit - 

eternal, undeniable, supernatural fruit.

Final Thoughts

2 Corinthians 9:10 is more than a verse. It's a 

living word. It is a promise in motion for every believer

who chooses to live with open hands and a surrendered

heart. I don't live for seed - I live for the One Who 

supplies it. I don't chase bread - I follow the Bread

of Life.

But in following Him, in loving Him, in sowing

for Him - I've learned that I never run out. He

multiplies what I give. He blesses what I surrender.

And He takes care of my house.

Let this be your reminder today: You are in covenant

with the Supplier. You don't serve a limited God. You

serve the God Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

You serve the God Who told the waves where to stop

and the sun when to rise. You serve the God Who 

multiplies.

And He's supplying more seed - just for you.

Glory 💗💞