Text: Luke 15:11-20
Memory Verse: “And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living (Luke 15:13).
Passion is a powerful driving force, defined as a strong desire or inner urge to achieve a goal. As Anthony Robbins puts it, passion is an “unbridled power” that can propel us forward at an accelerated pace. Passion can be directed toward either good or evil.
The prodigal son’s passion was misdirected. Driven by a desire for independence and worldly pleasures, he demanded his inheritance from his father prematurely. His passion led him to squander his fortune in a distant land, indulging in wasteful living. Ultimately, his misguided desire left him empty and regretful, as he returned home with nothing. His passion for material gain, rather than waiting for the right time, caused his downfall.
Similarly, Samson, a man anointed by God, allowed his passion for women to lead him astray. His strong desire for Delilah, an adulterous woman, resulted in his tragic capture and downfall (Judges 16). His passion for worldly pleasures overpowered his dedication to God’s purpose, turning him into a tool of the enemy. In another example, Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, allowed his passion for material wealth to overcome his integrity, resulting in his being punished with leprosy (2 Kings 5:20-27).
These examples highlight the danger of misdirected passion. When your desires focus on worldly things instead of God’s will, you risk falling into sin and destruction. True passion should be for the things of God. You must thirst after righteousness and seek God’s will, allowing His Word to guide your life.
Prayer Points:
1. Father, deliver me from the power of wrong passion.
2. I will not end my life in shame and disgrace.