In the Christian faith, the concept of affections pertains to the emotional and spiritual inclinations of the heart towards God, others, and righteousness. The Bible emphasizes the importance of maintaining fervent love and devotion, warning against the dangers of affections growing cold.

Biblical Warnings Against Cold Affections

The New Testament provides a direct warning about the cooling of affections in the context of the end times. In Matthew 24:12, Jesus cautions, "Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." This passage highlights the correlation between increasing sinfulness and the diminishing warmth of love and devotion among believers. The warning serves as a call to vigilance, urging Christians to guard their hearts against the pervasive influence of sin that can lead to spiritual apathy.

The Call to Fervent Love

Scripture consistently calls believers to maintain fervent love for God and others. In Romans 12:11, Paul exhorts, "Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." This verse underscores the necessity of sustaining a passionate commitment to God, which is manifested through active service and devotion. Similarly, 1 Peter 4:8 instructs, "Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." Here, the apostle Peter emphasizes the transformative power of love, which not only fosters unity but also acts as a remedy for sin.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in preventing affections from growing cold. Romans 5:5 states, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit empowers believers to experience and express God's love, counteracting the natural tendency towards spiritual coldness. The Spirit's work in the heart is essential for sustaining a vibrant and warm affection for God and others.

Practical Steps to Maintain Warm Affections

Believers are encouraged to engage in practices that nurture and sustain warm affections. Regular prayer and meditation on Scripture are vital for maintaining a close relationship with God. In Psalm 119:11, the psalmist declares, "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." Immersing oneself in God's Word helps to align the heart with His will and fosters a deep love for Him.

Fellowship with other believers is another important aspect of maintaining fervent affections. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." The mutual encouragement and accountability found in Christian community serve to keep affections warm and focused on Christ.

Conclusion

The Bible's teachings on affections underscore the importance of maintaining a fervent love for God and others. Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, engagement with Scripture, and fellowship with believers, Christians are equipped to resist the chilling effects of sin and sustain warm, vibrant affections.Psalm 106:12,13
Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 24:12
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Nave's Topical Index

Galatians 4:15
Where is then the blessedness you spoke of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
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Revelation 2:4
Nevertheless I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love.
Nave's Topical Index

An Exhortation to Love God
... Love is such a grace as we know not how to ... Love influences the graces, it excites
the affections, it makes us ... How careful then should we be to keep alive our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/an exhortation to love god.htm

(On the Lord's Ascension, ii. )
... souls, unhesitatingly to believe what is not seen with ... sight, and there to fix one's
affections whither you ... And whence should this Godliness spring up in our ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lxxiv on the lords.htm

How the Soul Grows Cold in Holy Love.
... sometimes weakened and depressed in the affections till it ... is sin, and consequently
troubles charity, not as a ... as this intention is that we should direct all ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ii how the soul.htm

The Duty of the People of God to Excite Others to Seek this Rest.
... makes the hearers loathe the food they should live by ... of the flint at one stroke;
nor men's affections kindled at ... if they were, yet if they be not followed they ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter ix the duty of.htm

the Nature of this Oversight
... to walk with God - if you make not this a ... pride should overtake you, and you should
fall into ... Oh, therefore, take heed to your own judgments and affections. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 1 the nature.htm

The Stony Heart Removed
... the picture, in the tender heart there is a tenderness of the affections. The hard
heart does not love God, but the renewed heart does. ... "Why should I weep for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/the stony heart removed.htm

What Use Heavenly Contemplation Makes of Consideration, the ...
... Therefore, Christian reader, when thou art raising thy affections to heaven, forget
not to give one lift to thy hope. ... "Why should I not confidently and ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter xiv what use heavenly.htm

Letter i. The Christian's Mark.
... and take notice of the means which they used, will not be surprised ... the Christian
as in the constant exercise of holy affections; and we should never rest ...
/.../letter i the christians mark.htm

The Springs of Social Life.
... is certainly the great sphere in which our affections are to ... Of course I do not mean
that this is the ... been ordained that this great element should flow through ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse v the springs of.htm

The Evolution of a Mother
... of cells may be concerned, so that should it happen ... let her graduate in the school
of the affections. ... its own command, this Love dare not grow cold, or pause ...
/.../the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter viii the evolution of.htm

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