The first definition of "passion" that comes up on Google is "strong and barely controllable emotion." Merriam-Webster defines it as "intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction." The Cambridge English Dictionary simply calls it "a very powerful feeling."
Some synonyms include: fervor, ardor, zeal, commitment, fanaticism, mania, obsession.
You'll notice some of those words have positive connotations (fervor, ardor, zeal, commitment) and some have negative connotations (fanaticism, mania, obsession).
I found two straightforward antonyms: indifference and apathy.
Passion, therefore, isn't good or bad on its own. Passion is just a feeling - an overwhelming feeling that controls and drives us. The only thing passion can't make us do is nothing.
I can see this in my life. For example, I am passionate about the fourth grade student I'm working with this year. My passion for helping her makes me an enthusiastic hard worker who is always looking out for her needs - but sometimes, it also leads me to overstep my bounds and make incorrect assumptions. My passion for this sweet kid can exhibit itself in both positive and negative ways.
I am also passionate about my friendships. My passion for being a good friend makes me loyal, empathetic, and protective. It also leads me to anxiety and fits of jealousy and clinginess. Again, my passion for my friends exhibits itself in both positive and negative ways.
One of the Fruits of the Spirit is self-control. When you put it in context, it seems like a bit of an outlier.
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control..." (Galatians 5:22-23)
I think it's last for a reason. It's to remind us that all of the other fruits can be co-opted by the devil. "Yes, you should love," he whispers, "and if they don't love you back, use your loving actions against them." He chides us, "If they reject your kindness, there's no need to show kindness again. You've done your part."
God gives us self-control so that when we lose sight of His intentions for His other gifts, we can find our way back. We don't have to let our passions control us. We can control them and use them in God-fearing ways.
When we don't, well, we can remember the Passion of Christ, whose self-control led him to ignore the devil's temptations to let us be condemned. Because of Christ's Passion, we are saved, even when our passions lead us to sin. Because of Christ's Passion, we are forgiven and free to follow our passions down the path He has prepared for us.
Stay tuned for October 13th: Just Happy to Be Here.
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