Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Love Languages

I recently learned about the concept of “Love Languages,” developed by pastor Gary Chapman 30 years ago. As noted in The New York Times, Chapman “…proposed that the ways people prefer to have love communicated to them fall into five categories, or ‘languages’: acts of service, words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts and physical touch.”

Understanding love languages can help Christians express God’s love more effectively. Different people may be more likely to see God’s love reflected in helpful acts, through words of encouragement, in companionship, through gift giving, or in hugs, for example.

Jesus, the supreme messenger of God’s love, was fluent in all the love languages. He constantly served others through his acts of healing; he affirmed those who were humble and generous; he spent a lot of time teaching the crowds and eating with his disciples; he gave food to the hungry; and he used physical touch in his healing (taking Jairus’ daughter by the hand and rubbing mud on the eyes of a blind man, for example).

We, too, can become fluent in the five love languages when we listen to others and observe their reactions when we offer service, verbal affirmation, companionship, gifts, and physical touch. It’s easy to tell when someone is delighted with a gift, touched by our assistance, brightened by our affirmation, appreciative of our companionship, or warmed by a hug. This is how we learn to speak this person’s preferred love language.

Jesus said that the greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, mind, and soul and to love our neighbor as ourselves. He didn’t offer many specifics about how to do this, however. Love languages give us a basic framework for how to most effectively extend God’s love to others. 

1 comment:

  1. Beautifully written! And I totally agree.

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