How does one avoid confusing passion (for something or someone) with obsession?

Answer 1

Obsession burns violently in our eyes. Passion shimmers peacefully in our eyes.

Answer 2

Obsession is more like addiction....like if whatever it is is all you think about, day and night. If it gets in the way of other things in your life or if you avoid doing other things or if it's the only thing in your life...it's an obsession. Passion is just a strong like for something, but your're not controlled by the desire to do it or whatever.

Answer 3

look at the degree to which the person's life is consumed with the passion or obsession. you can walk away from a passion and take a break from it, but will feel compelled to do an obsession and cannot move on without doing it.

Answer 4

it is a very thin line that divides the two. not going by the dictionary meaning of the two words...passion would be the intensity and the desire with which one feels for the other...or for something...like golf...gambling. obsession is passion that becomes a liability....where u no longer control the variables in the equation and instead are controlled by them. the primary difference would be that passion may help u perform better and u are in control ...but when obsessed...it is usually detrimental in some way.

Answer 5

Passion is an emotion of feeling very strongly towards a subject. Obsession is fixation. Obsession can become abnormal and unhealthy.

Answer 6

Obsession leaves you unhappy and lonely.
Passion energizes you and inspires those around you to join you
in your mission.

Passion is not selfish. Obsession is selfish.

That's the basic difference between the two!

Answer 7

Passion is a strong desire or love but is within social acceptance. Obsession is a compulsion and so does not stop where social acceptance stops.

Answer 8

When you are obsessed, you dont think about anything but that one think. If it is a passion, you have other hobbies too.

Answer 9

Passion becomes obsession when it interfers with your life. If you can't live without it, you have a big problem.

Answer 10

I will just copy and paste a sermon I found on the net and hope it will be of help to you as well:
1. Protect your mind
The eye-gate and the ear-gate are so important…the pathways to the mind.
II Pet. 2:14 (on screen) “eyes full of adultery”
Once upon a time a boy was born to Christian parents, he was active in church in the youth group. His name was Ted Bundy!

One day his g’pa introduced him to soft-core porn. After a few years it was no longer enough, so he moved on to hard-core porn. After a while, it was no longer stimulating, so he began to see prostitutes. Then he began raping prostitutes. Then he started killing them. He was caught and executed.

Men, protect your eyes. The Bible says, “I will set no wicked thing before my eyes.” Claim that verse.
Job said, “I have made a covenant w/ my eyes, why then should I THINK upon a maid?”

Get away from music whose theme is predominantly lust and sex. (difference between the sex spoken of in rock music and country music is one is easier to understand!)

2. Don’t accommodate sin
If you can’t walk into the video store and stay pure, then don’t walk in!
If you can’t flip around the channels w/out looking for something dirty to look at then cut it off! (John R. Rice: HBO/Cinemax/Showtime!)
If you can’t be alone together in that car then don’t be.
“Make no provision for the flesh.”

3. Decide in advance
Make a pre-determined decision to stay pure, and that you won’t date anyone who hasn’t made the same commitment.
Words of a fool: “He’ll change after we’re married.”
You say:
“It’s too late for me, preacher.” (I’ve already given it away)

Good news! One day a woman was brought to Jesus, taken in the very act of adultery. She expected to be condemned, but Jesus said, I don’t condemn you, go and sin no more!

You can’t change the past, but your future is spotless!

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