What Is The Difference Between Love and Lust?

Bible Summary. There is a vast difference between love and lust. Lust only cares for itself. It is focused totally on the object of its desire in order to fulfill it's own selfish desires. On the other hand, love is completely unselfish. Love has compassion for the object of its affection. Love does not expect anything in return. Love transcends the material world and is solely focused on spiritual things. Love is God. God is the source of real love. See below for Biblical advice and scriptures concerning telling the difference between love and lust. Key Bible verses: 1 John 3:17, 1 Corinthians 13:5, Matthew 22:37, and 1 John 4:8.

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Lust Only Cares For Itself.

A key difference between love and lust is that lust only cares for itself (self love). Lust always focuses on an object to fulfill its desire. This object can be a woman, money, a car, a dress, fried chicken – anything. Lust has no room for love or compassion.

See Scripture Commentary: 1 John 3:17 advices us that true love is always compassionate and never selfish.

Love Is Unselfish.

Another key difference between love and lust is that love is completely unselfish. Love has compassion for the object of its affection. Christian love is "agape" love, a love that offers unmerited favor. Its affection does not expect anything in return.

See Scripture Commentary: 1 Corinthians 13:5 advises us that love is unselfish.

Love Comes From The Heart, Lust Comes From The Flesh.

Lust is part of the material world attempting to satisfy one of the five senses. Lust's sole aim is to satisfy the flesh. Love transcends the material world and is solely focused on spiritual things. Love's sole motive is to bestow affection and compassion upon people and God.

See Scripture Commentary: Matthew 22:37 advises us how important it is to love God with all our heart.

Love Is God, Lust Is Not.

The key difference between lust and love is that love is God and selfish lust is not of God. Like truth, God is the source of all love. Anyone without love does not have God in him. Anyone with true "agape" love has God in him.

See Scripture Commentary: 1 John 4:8 advices us that love is God.