Valentine’s Day is among the most popular Christian holidays in the world today. However, what’s popular does not automatically mean it’s acceptable to God. You might be shocked to know that the Bible actually forbids the celebration of Valentine’s Day. Here’s why!

Valentine’s Day is among the most popular holidays in the world. Thanks to commercialism, this day is so popular that even non-Christians celebrate it.

It is estimated that Americans spend about $20 billion on this single holiday alone, making it the second most expensive holiday next to Christmas.

However, the majority is not always right.

One must ask whether Christians should celebrate this day. Most importantly, what does God think about Valentine’s Day?

Before I proceed, let me tell you this SHOCKING TRUTH: Valentine’s Day should NOT be celebrated by Christians.

In this post, let me share the reasons why this is so. Let me make it as simple as possible for everyone to understand. Here are the 10 reasons Christians should not celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Reason no. 1: Valentine’s Day has pagan roots

A quick look at any encyclopedia or history book will reveal that Valentine’s Day is an ancient Roman festival.

It is originally known as Lupercalia which is celebrated every February 15. Lupercalia is celebrated to honor not God, but pagan gods namely Lupercus (god of fertility), Juno (goddess of marriage and women) and Pan (god of nature).

There is really nothing to argue about here.

Plain and simple: Valentine’s Day is rooted in paganism.

God calls paganism as ABOMINABLE and He strongly commands His people to stay away from it.

God is very clear on this:

“When the Lord your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’

You shall NOT worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall NOT add to it nor take away from it” (Deuteronomy 12:32).

Reason no. 2: Bible says to flee sexual immorality

“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (I Corinthians 6:18-20).

Sexual immorality brings a lot of heartbreaks, diseases, and negative emotional and social problems. God loves us and does not want us to suffer unnecessary pain.

Though sexual immorality brings pleasure, it will not last long. When you consider its many dire consequences, you will soon realize that it’s not worth the risk.

So what does sexual immorality has to do with Valentine’s Day? Lupercalia is celebrated with pagan sex rituals. It is about eroticism, lust, and fertility.

God knows what’s best for us and He knows sexual immorality, like any other sins, leads to many untold suffering.

As early as the fourth B.C., young men seek their sexual partner during the Lupercalia festival. By a “love” lottery, young men would be able to win the companionship and sexual service of a woman until the next year’s drawing.

With these dark secrets of the origin of Valentine’s Day, you sure don’t want to be associated with it. God’s word is very clear with this and He wants us to flee sexual immorality.

Reason no. 3: Christians are called to love, not to lust

There is no doubt that the origin of Valentine’s Day involves strong infatuation and lust rather than genuine love.

There are a lot of unmarried couples who use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to participate in pre-marital sex. Often, this sexual act leads to unwanted and unplanned pregnancy. Sadly, some resorts to abortion just to “correct” their mistakes.

Reason no. 4: You can Celebrate Love without Valentine’s Day

Why do so many Christians limit their love on a specific day, in this case, Valentine’s Day? Wouldn’t it be great to demonstrate your love every single day?

Married couples or those who are in a relationship can show their love and concern every day and not wait for Valentine’s Day to arrive.

After all, even if you celebrate your love on Valentine’s Day, it really feels awkward since this day celebrates lust and not true love.

Reason no. 5: NO one exactly knows who St. Valentine is

Do a quick search on the Internet and see what you can find about St. Valentine. It is very weird because his story is based on LEGEND and not facts.

It is also unbiblical to revere a man. Some people think that we should pray to the saints as they can help bring our petitions to God. This is a satanic deception that we must all stop.

Dead people are dead. They don’t anymore have the ability to help the living.

First and foremost, dead people are dead. The Bible makes it clear that there is no knowledge in the grave (Ecclesiastes 9:10) and no one has ever ascended into heaven except Christ (John 3:13).

Therefore, it is useless to have so-called “saints” canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. Besides, if you are really a Christian, why celebrate Valentine’s Day which commemorates a saint of the Catholics?

Also read: The Shocking Reason We Should Stop Praying to Saints

Reason no. 6: God’s definition of love differs from what Valentine’s Day promotes

The Biblical definition of love is this:

“FOR THIS IS THE LOVE OF GOD, THAT WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. And His commandments are not burdensome” (I John 5:3).

Did you get that? Read it again.

God’s definition of love is keeping His commandments. The commandments of God are there because He LOVES US. The commandments of God gives us the guidelines of how to have a fulfilling, blessed, and joyful love.

Valentine’s Day is just the opposite.

As Christians, it is our duty to please God rather than men.

At this point, we need to stop and think. There is no doubt that Valentine’s Day is a pagan holiday turned “Christian”. It is a holiday consecrated and ordained by man, NOT God. In fact, God considers pagan holidays as abominable, detestable, futile, vain, and useless.

Who should we follow? God or man?

Whom should we please? God or man?

Who should we believe? God or man?

Jesus Christ gave us the answer:

Jesus answered them, “How right Isaiah was when he prophesied about you! You are hypocrites, just as he wrote: ‘

These people, says God, honor me with their words, but their heart is really far away from me. It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach human rules as though they were my laws!’

“You put aside God’s command and obey human teachings” (Mark 9:6-8, GNB).

Reason no. 7: God is not impressed when He is worshiped with pagan holidays

Why do we keep on insisting our own way? If you read the Bible, you will see the exact and proper manner how God wants to be worshiped.

We need to stop and ask, “How does God want me to worship Him?” Rather than asking, “How do I want God to be worshiped?” After all, it is about God and not us.

Why would you use something that God hates to worship Him?

Jesus said: God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in TRUTH (John 4:24).

Ask yourself, “Is there any truth in Valentine’s Day?” “Does it help us to worship God in spirit?” The answers to these questions are a glaring “NO”.

Valentine’s Day is nothing but a recycled pagan holiday repackaged with a “Christian” name. If you are going to give a gift to God, do you think He will be happy to receive something that He calls useless and abominable?

We need to be honest to answer these questions.

Reason no. 8: Valentine’s Day leads to negative emotions

Women, in general, are very emotional. If they don’t receive a gift on Valentine’s Day, they feel unloved. If ever they receive something on this day, they will feel proud.

Proud because they receive something better than what other women received.

Unloved because they receive something worse than what other women received.

Valentine’s Day is geared towards the way of getting rather than the way of giving.

Whether you like it or not, some women actually expect something from their partner. It is like having this feeling of entitlement. “It’s Valentine’s Day and I deserve a gift.”

On the other hand, men would feel pressured to buy something that will please their partner. Sometimes these men are forced to give rather than give willingly.

Either way, Valentine’s Day is geared towards the way of getting rather than the way of giving.

Reason no. 9: God commands us not to conform to the world

Like I said before, Valentine’s Day is a very popular holiday in the world.

Why not?

It caters to the lust of the very human nature that we have. However, God expects us Christians to overcome our human nature and be more like God and less like us.

The Apostle Paul is very clear on this:

“Do NOT try to work together as equals with unbelievers, for it cannot be done. How can right and wrong be partners? How can light and darkness live together?

How can Christ and the Devil agree? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

How can God’s temple come to terms with pagan idols? For we are the temple of the living God! As God himself has said, “I will make my home with my people and live among them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

And so the Lord says, “You must leave them and separate yourselves from them. Have nothing to do with what is unclean, and I will accept you.

I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (II Corinthians 6:14-18, GNB).

Reason no. 10: We are commanded to celebrate different Holy Days

Surprising as it may sound, God commanded His people to celebrate His Feast Days.

There are seven annual festivals that Christians should celebrate instead of borrowing holidays from pagans. They are written in Leviticus 23.

Please don’t assume that it is just for the Israelites because we can read that Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and early Christians celebrated them even many years after Jesus’ death. This is a big topic so please request your free copy of God’s Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind.

Conclusion

With these 10 reasons, it is very obvious that Christians should not participate in any pagan holidays including Valentine’s Day.

[Related article: 5 Scary Ways Valentine’s Day is Secretly Destroying Your Relationship]

You may change the name of an ancient pagan holiday into something “Christian”, but we cannot deny that its substance is still the same.

We can always show true and genuine love in a God-ordained manner. We don’t have to borrow ancient pagan celebrations to follow God.

If you are really a Christian who would like to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4), then you better take heed and not celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day is not a Christian holiday and it will never be.

You are called a Christian because you are a follower of Christ. Christ did not celebrate Valentine’s Day, so should you.

Will you follow God’s word or follow your own will? Choose rightly.

Featured book…