The Oxford English Dictionary defines “kiss” as a touch or caress with the lips as a sign of love, sexual desire or greeting. A kiss is an act of touching or pressing one’s lips against another person or object, often as a gesture of affection and greeting. Several types of kisses have been identified namely: Affectionate; Greeting; Romantic; French; Hand-kissing; Butterfly; Rainbow and Neck kiss. Furthermore, in the Bible, the Apostle Paul and other apostles encouraged the early church to greet with a “holy kiss”: “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (See Romans 16:16; 1st Corinthians 16:20; 2nd Corinthians 13:12; 1st Thessalonians 5:26; 1st Peter 5:14).
During the New Testament time, the “holy kiss” was a common form of greeting in the East demonstrating love, respect and fellowship. The term “holy” in “holy kiss” stresses the sacred and spiritual nature of the greeting, which sets it apart from other forms of kissing. In contemporary Christian circles, the biblical admonition to greet one another with a “holy kiss” can be interpreted as a call to cultivate genuine relationships and express love and respect for fellow Christian believers.
Another type of “kiss” I have identified to add to the list above is the “kiss of death”. While the “holy kiss” is synonymous with “kiss of love”, death kiss can lead to one’s destruction or death. It is done with evil intensions and characterized by fleshly desires, betrayal and hatred. Many have been enslaved and many have journeyed to the grave early because they failed to resist the kiss of death. While a romantic kiss can create and strengthen the bond and intimacy in marriage, it can destroy lives in extra marital affairs and other illegal sexual relations. Many have been separated from God (spiritual death) because of sexual sins. Several stories are told of how many have opened their lives to demonic spirits, destinies shattered and marriages destroyed because of certain romantic kisses.
One “kiss of death” I spotted from the Bible was between Judas Iscariot and Jesus Christ. He used this kiss as a weapon to betray and capture Jesus Christ: “And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him and lead him away safely.” (Mark 14:44) Before this time, Judas was walking with and dining with Jesus Christ and when Satan took over his life, he orchestrated Jesus’ death with a kiss. One lesson we can draw from this story is that we need to be mindful of the people we have as friends and associates in every sphere of life. May God separate us from every “death kiss” agent.
Satan, the devil, can use anyone we come in contact with to perpetrate evil and achieve his devilish goals. A kiss from some business partners with ulterior motives can lead to the death of one’s business. A kiss from a friend as a symbol of invitation to certain adventures can destroy one’s destiny. Many have been possessed with all kinds of evil spirits and many have been imprisoned and enslaved because of the kiss they accepted.
May God guide us into relationships that will not lead to our untimely death. However, for God to guide you to avoid the “kiss of death”, you need to have a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. Say this prayer of salvation: Dear Lord Jesus, from today, I accept and confess you as my personal Lord and Savior. I believe that you died and rose again to save me. Wash my sins away and shape my character. I declare that I am born again. Amen!
By Sunday Omori
HEM Int'l 