Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places

In a culture obsessed with romance, many people find themselves chasing love in all the wrong places. Dr. Rocky Ramsey’s sermon offers a biblical perspective on what genuine love looks like—and how we often sabotage our own search for it.

The Truth About Genuine Love

If I feel like I need to date, I probably shouldn’t be dating.

  • True identity, value, purpose, and fulfillment come from God—not a relationship. Seeking love from a place of emotional emptiness leads to poor choices.

If I feel poorly about myself, I’ll make bad decisions about relationships.

  • A lack of self-worth leads to settling for less than God’s best.

If I don’t properly love myself, no one can make me feel loved over time.

  • God created us in His image, demonstrated His love through the cross, and gifted us for a purpose. Realizing this gives us confidence in love and life.

If I don’t understand the difference, I will mistake infatuation for love.

  • Love is more than just emotions and attraction—it’s commitment, trust, and selflessness.

Physical involvement outside of marriage diminishes my ability to develop true intimacy.

  • God designed love and intimacy to be protected within marriage. Anything outside of that distorts His plan.

Emotions should be the result of a relationship, not the reason for it.

  • Healthy love isn’t based on fleeting emotions but on shared faith, values, and commitment.

The right order for meeting my need to be loved:

  1. From above – A right relationship with God

  2. From within – Making wise, godly choices

  3. From same-gender Christ-followers – Strong friendships in faith

  4. From healthy opposite-gender Christ-followers – Building genuine, Christ-centered relationships

Rather than desperately seeking someone to give our hearts to, God calls us to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23) and trust Him with our love story.

This message is a reminder that love starts with God—when we are rooted in His love, we won’t fall for counterfeits.

“I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful than the love of women.”
— 2 Samuel 1:26

Listen to the Sermon Audio: