Valentine’s day, 14th February, honors saints whose names were Valentine or Valentinus.
And the original Valentine’s day has everything to do with “romantic love”. We, Christians, romance God always. You know, God is romantic.
But wait, where in the bible is Saint Valentine and Valentine’s day mentioned?
Everywhere in it.
See, Saint Valentine, a martyr of faith in Christ was executed all the way back to AD 496 on the 14th February because he was a Christian. He’s a member of the body of Christ. He was part of us before God created all things.
And his day of persecution is mentioned in the Bible, too; the Lord Jesus spoke of the day he’ll be persecuted, which came to pass on the 14th February. Tell me, when was Jesus persecuted? The day some Christians celebrate as Good Friday, perhaps.
Every Christian knows the highest level of love is to obey God. Christ did by dying for the world.
Saint Valentine was caused to obey God by dying too. God worketh Christians to do of His good pleasure, remember? And all these in the bible tell when Valentine’s day became “associated with love”. This day had nothing to do with pagan debauchery.
Also read:
- Bible Verses about Christianophobia
- Bible Verses about Trials and Tribulations
- Bible Verses about Following God’s Plan
- Bible Verses about Why Christians Fail
- Why Christians are Regarded as Intolerant “Haters”
- Bible Verses about Forgiveness
- Bible Verses about Marriage
- Bible Verses about Trusting God
According to Bible Reasons, Valentine’s day became “associated with love” when:
- In 1375, the poet Chaucer wrote, “This was sent on Saint Valentine’s Day when every bird comes to choose his mate.” This was during the middle ages when people considered mid-February to be when birds paired up in France and English.
- Charles, the French Duke of Orleans, in 1415, wrote this love poem to his wife Bonne on Valentine’s Day while in prison in the Tower of London: “I am sick with love, my gentle Valentine.” Sadly, Charles remained in prison for 24 years, and Bonne died before he return to France.
- Several years later, King Henry V of England wanted to write a love poem to his new wife Catherine – a princess from France. But he wasn’t very poetic, so he hired a monk – John Lyndgate – to write it for him. After this, it became increasingly popular for husbands to present poems or affectionate letters, sometimes accompanied by small gifts, to their wives on Valentine’s Day. This eventually became an occasion for courting couples and even friends to exchange poems and gifts demonstrating their affection.
No. No. No. No. That’s what most people think.
Truth is, all the relevant bible verses about Valentine’s day below reveals when and how Valentine’s day became “associated with love”:
2 Timothy 3:11-12, KJV
“11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
John 15:19–20, KJV
“19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”
2 Corinthians 12:9–10, KJV
“9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
Mark 10:29–30, KJV
“29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
Galatians 4:29, KJV
“29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.”
Matthew 5:10–12, KJV
“10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
Revelation 2:10–11, KJV
“10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”
1 Thessalonians 3:3–4, KJV
“3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.”
Matthew 10:16–18, KJV
“16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.”
1 Peter 4:12–14, KJV
“12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”
Simply
Saint Valentine’s Day is the day a Christian, called Valentine, was persecuted for being of Christ.
We may have to put it this way if you like: Saint Valentine’s Day is the day a Christian, called Valentine was persecuted for being of love. Because Christ is love. Christians and their ways are love. And our love more than excites.
Now, see the most loved gifts people often give to their loved ones on Valentine’s Day (The link leads to Amazon for the gifts; it’s an affiliate link).
Also note that every Christian is love. Our dad is; love is our nature. To us, everyday is more than Valentine’s Day. Our love more than excites. Read One Thing to Make You Love Like God and Bible Verses about God’s Love.