Difference between Love and Lust.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others; it is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13.4-5.

"For everything in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world." 1 John 2.16

In this world and age, we are in, understanding the difference between love and lust can be difficult. In a time when people are more concerned and drawn to physical looks, people use the phrase "love at first sight" to justify the lust they have for people.

As Christians, there should not be anything such as love at first sight. We have been called to love people as Christ loves us, and obeying that commandment is not optional. Hence, it is not a "love-at-first-sight" thing, it is a "prepare-your-heart-to-love-people-even-before-you-meet-them".

Love is selfless and patient. It puts others and the needs of others first before theirs. Love waits. A man who loves you is willing to wait until marriage before getting sexual with you. If it is your choice to stay celibate until marriage, he will be willing to stay celibate with you till you both tie the knot. He will put your needs and demands first before his and your choice to stay celibate until marriage becomes his too.

Lust on the other hand is selfish and impatient. It is always "me first", with has no regard for the needs of the next person. Lust is not only sexual. Lust can be financial and power-driven. The cravings to be rich and stay in power can make one cross the line to get what he or she wants, even if it means killing other people.

Lust never understands "wait" or "not yet". Lust always goes heads on first without proper thinking and planning. Love, however, understands "not yet" and is willing to wait for the right time.

Love does not bring people down when it doesn't get what it wants. Love uplifts regardless. Lust is willing and ever-ready to take people down when it fails to get what it wants.

Love is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5.22). Love becomes one of your traits when you start allowing yourself to be led by the Spirit, the ability to love people genuinely and to look out for them even without gains attached or the tendency to be reciprocated.

Lust is a fruit of the flesh and gives no room for self-control (Galatians 5.19, 1 John 2.16). Lust is not of God and can be very deceptive. Lust is and gives the opposite of everything love is and gives.