Love vs. Lust — What's the Difference?
Love vs. Lust — What's the Difference? Love seeks the good of another in self-giving commitment; lust seeks the gratification of self at another's expense. Love builds up; lust consumes.
Key verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (KJV)
Love seeks the good of another in self-giving commitment; lust seeks the gratification of self at another's expense. Love builds up; lust consumes.
Love seeks the good of another in self-giving commitment; lust seeks the gratification of self at another's expense. Love builds up; lust consumes.
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil." — 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (KJV)
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The Biblical Answer
Love seeks the good of another in self-giving commitment; lust seeks the gratification of self at another's expense. Love builds up; lust consumes.\n\nScripture sets out the truth plainly. 1 Corinthians 13:4–5 declares: "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil." This is the anchor of the answer.\n\nMatthew 5:28 confirms and broadens the picture: "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." When believers understand the distinction, confusion fades and obedience clarifies. Both ideas are grounded in God's character and meet ultimately in the person and work of Christ.
Key Scripture References
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil."
"But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."
"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
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Deep Dive Commentary
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The answer above sits inside 1 Corinthians. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read 1 Corinthians on day 324 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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