If you haven’t read PART I of our 8 Principles for Manifesting Love in Your Life, read them HERE. And let’s take a look at 4 more of the characteristics and principles of love, and at some of God’s requirements for knowing and manifesting true love in your life:

5. Love is not lust. Lust is one of those emotional states God categorizes under “the flesh”(1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, Romans 13:13-15). Lust is uncontrolled desire. So if you think about it, if lust is present, it’s actually an indicator that love is not! That Commandment which talks about not “committing adultery” or “coveting the spouses of others.” This means that the guy, gal, or material possession you’re lusting for may be the one God meant for someone else. Lust brings trouble to your soul, while keeping love from finding you.  Love, on the other hand, requires discipline and maturity (1 Corinthians 13:11). As Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake says, “Put priority on spiritual and emotional excellence, not just on physical and erotic attractiveness.” Yes, lust is an indicator of desire or physical attraction. But Love is an indicator of spiritual connection. Don’t get it twisted.

6. Love is understanding. “It’s not about you!” as  Pastor Rick Warren says in his book, “The Purpose Driven Life”. Sometimes, God pairs us with people or situations that require our growth through love, and those situations may sometimes be difficult (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). “Love” is not “like.” You can love someone without liking their actions. But love means wanting God’s best for them; love means honoring their right to exist. So you can’t be loving and be selfish, controlling, jealous, quick-tempered, scheming, petty, or racist. Love doesn’t cause pain to others. You either love, or you don’t.

7. Love is to be the best that God created us to be. As human beings, we are designed for love, to love; and by God, with love (Genesis 1:26-28). He gave us instructions on what love is, how to attract it, how to maintain it, how to be it. Most importantly, love is your most important duty during your time on earth. It is to use our gifts and talents to edify others, and to make the world a better place.

8. Love is knowing Jesus. When God gave us life, He gave us love (Romans 8:30). When God gave us Jesus, He gave us a physical manifestation of His love; an example of salvation, grace, mercy, and excellence for us to follow for how to be our best, what our possibilities are, and how to live our best life (Philippians 4:13).

So…what is love? Seems it’s been inside of us all along. Love is the secret to life.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, Romans 13:13-15, 1 Corinthians 13:11, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Genesis 1:26-28, Romans 8:30, Philippians 4:13.