Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, " I Corinthians 13:4-7
It tells us what love is, and tells us what love is NOT. All too often, we find ourselves in lust--or being lusted after--but no one says "I lust you" "He lusts me" "We're in lust" "I lust that" "I lust ______" (just fill in the blank!). It may be the truth, but no one says that because it sounds so sinful!
Remember that God creates, Satan imitates. God purifies, Satan perverts. Satan takes what God created, perverts it into a dark, sinful version for his own purposes.
Lust is defined as an overpowering desire or craving. We often see this in terms of sex, but we can lust for anything!
By looking at I Corinthians 13, we can also get a picture of what lust is. Why is it important to know the difference? Knowledge is power. Satan rules in our ignorance. Any area of our lives in which we are ignorant gives him permission to wreak havoc. For too long I also sailed on the sea of denial, wanting to believe I was in love--that "he" loved me. A more accurate picture was that we were in lust. Only when we face that kind of truth, can we find true love... the kind of love described in I Corinthians 13.
Lust:
Is Selfish
Looks out for number 1
Produces nothing good
Gives no peace
Is cruel
Creates insecurity
Is impatient
Is fleeting
Is never calm
Is proud and boastful
Is fickle
Hurts
Is possessive
Grows
Is out-of-control
Is conditional
Is NEVER satisfied!
You deserve better than Satan's perverted imitation of love! Do not be deceived by a cheap copy! Be blessed.... Arlene