Bible – Bible Society of Zimbabwe

Jesus replied ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Love and relationships are important aspects of life, especially for younger generations navigating friendships, family dynamics, dating, and social connections. In a world where love is often portrayed in a confusing, fleeting, or superficial way, the Bible offers clear and timeless wisdom on what love truly means and how to build healthy relationships.

Here are seven Bible verses that will help guide you through the complexities of love and relationships.

1. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 — “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

In a world that sometimes focuses on instant gratification and fleeting emotions, the Bible reminds us that love is more about giving than receiving. Love isn’t just a feeling; it’s a choice to act with kindness and humility, even when it’s hard.

2. Matthew 22:37-39 — “Jesus replied: ‘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. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Jesus simplifies love and relationships into two commandments: loving God first and then loving others. When your relationships are rooted in love for God, they will naturally reflect a love that values and respects others.

3. Proverbs 17:17 — “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”

Friendships and community are crucial, especially for the younger generation navigating through life’s challenges. Genuine friends love in every season, not just when it’s easy or convenient. They are there to support you during difficult times, and they offer strength and encouragement when you need it most.

4. 1 John 4:18 — “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

Many young people experience anxiety, fear, or insecurity in relationships, whether it’s fear of rejection, fear of not being enough, or fear of vulnerability. But this verse reminds us that real love, the kind of love God gives, casts out fear. In healthy relationships, love should create a sense of safety, not fear or insecurity. When you’re in a relationship that reflects God’s love, you will feel valued and cherished, not afraid or anxious.

5. Ephesians 4:2-3 — “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

In a world where arguments and conflict are common, these verses from Ephesians encourage us to practice humility, patience, and unity in our relationships. It’s not always easy, but maintaining peace and working toward understanding are key aspects of healthy connections. Love isn’t about always being right; sometimes it’s about listening, understanding, and choosing peace over conflict.

6. Song of Solomon 8:4 — “Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.”

For young people, particularly in the context of dating and romantic relationships, this verse offers wisdom about timing and patience. Culture often pressures young people to rush into relationships or equates physical attraction with love. However, the Bible encourages us to wait for the right timing, to allow love to grow naturally and genuinely, without rushing into anything prematurely. This ensures that relationships are based on genuine connection and mutual respect.

7. Romans 12:10 — “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Instead of asking, “What can I get out of this relationship?” we are encouraged to honor and respect others, putting their needs ahead of our own. True love is about devotion and commitment, not just convenience or personal gain. When you prioritize honoring others, you build relationships that are strong, meaningful, and lasting.

Conclusion

Navigating love and relationships as a young person can be challenging, especially in a world filled with mixed messages about what love is and how relationships should work. However, these Bible verses provide a clear and countercultural view of love: one that is selfless, patient, kind, and enduring. Love isn’t just about feelings, it’s about action, commitment, and putting others before yourself. When your relationships are rooted in these principles, they will flourish in ways that bring fulfillment, joy, and peace. So, take these truths with you as you navigate love and relationships, always remembering that God’s love is the foundation of all healthy connections.

1 Better to eat a dry crust of bread with peace of mind than have a banquet in a house full of trouble.

2 A shrewd servant will gain authority over a master's worthless son and receive a part of the inheritance.

3 Gold and silver are tested by fire, and a person's heart is tested by the Lord.

4 Evil people listen to evil ideas, and liars listen to lies.

5 If you make fun of poor people, you insult the God who made them. You will be punished if you take pleasure in someone's misfortune.

6 Grandparents are proud of their grandchildren, just as children are proud of their parents.

7 Respected people do not tell lies, and fools have nothing worthwhile to say.

8 Some people think a bribe works like magic; they believe it can do anything.

9 If you want people to like you, forgive them when they wrong you. Remembering wrongs can break up a friendship.

10 An intelligent person learns more from one rebuke than a fool learns from being beaten a hundred times.

11 Death will come like a cruel messenger to wicked people who are always stirring up trouble.

12 It is better to meet a mother bear robbed of her cubs than to meet some fool busy with a stupid project.

13 If you repay good with evil, you will never get evil out of your house.

14 The start of an argument is like the first break in a dam; stop it before it goes any further.

15 Condemning the innocent or letting the wicked go—both are hateful to the Lord.

16 It does a fool no good to spend money on an education, because he has no common sense.

Love and Relationships: 7 Bible Verses for Today’s Youth

Friends always show their love. What are relatives for if not to share trouble?

18 Only someone with no sense would promise to be responsible for someone else's debts.

19 To like sin is to like making trouble. If you brag all the time, you are asking for trouble.

20 Anyone who thinks and speaks evil can expect to find nothing good—only disaster.

21 There is nothing but sadness and sorrow for parents whose children do foolish things.

22 Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is slow death to be gloomy all the time.

23 Corrupt judges accept secret bribes, and then justice is not done.

24 An intelligent person aims at wise action, but a fool starts off in many directions.

25 Foolish children bring grief to their fathers and bitter regrets to their mothers.

26 It is not right to make an innocent person pay a fine; justice is perverted when good people are punished.

27 Those who are sure of themselves do not talk all the time. People who stay calm have real insight. 28 After all, even fools may be thought wise and intelligent if they stay quiet and keep their mouths shut.

1 Better is a dry morsell, if peace be with it, then an house full of sacrifices with strife. 2 A discrete seruant shall haue rule ouer a lewde sonne, and hee shall deuide the heritage among the brethren. 3 As is the fining pot for siluer, and the fornace for golde, so the Lord trieth the heartes. 4 The wicked giueth heed to false lippes, and a lyer hearkeneth to the naughtie tongue. 5 Hee that mocketh the poore, reprocheth him, that made him: and he that reioyceth at destruction, shall not be vnpunished. 6 Childres children are the crowne of the elders: and the glory of ye children are their fathers. 7 Hie talke becommeth not a foole, much lesse a lying talke a prince. 8 A rewarde is as a stone pleasant in the eyes of them that haue it: it prospereth, whithersoeuer it turneth. 9 Hee that couereth a transgression, seeketh loue: but hee that repeateth a matter, separateth the prince. 10 A reproofe entereth more into him that hath vnderstanding, then an hundreth stripes into a foole. 11 A sedicious person seeketh onely euill, and a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. 12 It is better for a man to meete a beare robbed of her whelpes, then a foole in his follie. 13 He that rewardeth euil for good, euil shall not depart from his house. 14 The beginning of strife is as one that openeth the waters: therefore or the contention be medled with, leaue off. 15 He that iustifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the iust, euen they both are abomination to the Lord. 16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of the foole to get wisdome, and he hath none heart? 17 A friende loueth at all times: and a brother is borne for aduersitie. 18 A man destitute of vnderstanding, toucheth the hande, and becommeth suretie for his neighbour. 19 He loueth transgression, that loueth strife: and he that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction. 20 The froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a naughtie tongue, shall fall into euill. 21 He that begetteth a foole, getteth himselfe sorow, and the father of a foole can haue no ioy. 22 A ioyfull heart causeth good health: but a sorowfull minde dryeth the bones. 23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosome to wrest the wayes of iudgement. 24 Wisdome is in the face of him that hath vnderstanding: but the eyes of a foole are in the corners of the world. 25 A foolish sonne is a griefe vnto his father, and a heauines to her that bare him. 26 Surely it is not good to condemne the iust, nor that ye princes should smite such for equitie. 27 Hee that hath knowledge, spareth his wordes, and a man of vnderstanding is of an excellent spirit. 28 Euen a foole (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent.