what is love . How it is different from lust. How one can attain nearness to god through love?

Question

A lot of saints say that if u want to reach or be close to god . U need to develop love. How can such spiritual love can be developed and how this will be recognized

Answer 1

What is Love?

Love is not what you think it is. That's why so many marriages end in divorce. People get a hormonal rush when they're around a person and think they're in love, and believe that person is "the one."

Not even close. True love creeps up on you over a long period of time. It's NOT that powerful feeling of "I must have this person." Instead, it's a slow build-up. When you truly love someone you don't have to ask yourself if it's love. You're not even ASKING yourself. After having this person in your life for quite some time, one day you wake up and automatically know. It's not an emotional rush of feeling type of love, the kind that makes you breathless when you're around them or thinking about them. That's lust. True love is a deep, calm knowing. You can distinguish it because love feels secure, while lust feels emotional.

If you're thinking about eventually getting married, remember one thing: Marriage should not be the sequel to sex. It should be the sequel to friendship. Lots of people make big mistakes when getting married because they think they're in love and that they're supposed to marry the person who excites them and has good sexual chemistry. But after those feelings subside they end up with resentment, disgust and anger for that person. They were never really in love. Many times we are already married to this person and feeling trapped and very unhappy. It's scary to wake up one day and realize you're in a relationship with someone who you can't depend on to be by your side forever. The best way to make sure the love lasts is to make sure it's love to begin with.

Have fun with the excited feelings you experience when you're exploring passionate relationships with the opposite sex. But while you're in those relationships, pay attention to the other people in your life that you care for, but aren't "in love with." Believe it or not, THOSE are the people you most likely could eventually truly love. Here's a test to help you figure out what true love really is.

A friend emailed this to me a few years ago when I was dating a woman who was very wrong for me. I saved the list because I wanted to remember it. It's probably the best advice I ever got. I like this test a lot because it is a total eye opener. It's designed for men but it's good for women to see what should matter to a man. It shows you who in your life really loves you and who you probably love without realizing it. It's also cool to think you probably already know the woman you're going to end up marrying.

This test helps a man determine what really matters in a woman, and which one in his life is most likely to be "THE ONE".


The Marriage Counselor's Marriage Test
Think of all the women currently in your life. Think of the women you are dating and have dated. Think of the women you have been in relationships with who are still single and available to you. Think of the women you talk to at the grocery store, the cleaners, on the golf course, or in the park. Think of the women you work with. Think of your close female friends and the women you confide in. If you're a single man and want to marry, statistically it is likely you will eventually marry one of these women. To begin the test, write down the names of at least five of these women. Be sure to include the ones you have the most contact with.

Ask yourself:

If you were in a coma, who is the one most likely to be at your bedside after the others had gone on with their lives?

If you were paralyzed and couldn't work, do any chores around the house, go out anywhere, or have sex, which one would be the most likely to still love you and stay with you?

If you were going through a difficult time at work and had negative emotions and moodiness, which one would most likely allow you plenty of space and understanding without selfishness or nagging?

If you were to lose your car, your home, and your savings which one would be most willing to stay with you and help you build your life again?

If you were sterile and couldn't have children, which one would be least likely to bring up the subject again or make you to feel guilty?

If your parents became disabled and needed to live with you, who do you think would be most likely to accept them into your home and treat them with care and dignity?

If your parents became disabled and needed to live with you, who do you think they would most enjoy spending time with?

If you had children with one of the women you know, and eventually became divorced, which one would you trust the most to raise your children right?

If you could only have one woman to take to every sporting event, every outing, and every event for the rest of your life which one would you have the most fun with?

If you had children with one of the women you know, which one would your children be least likely to wonder why you married her?

Who makes you laugh hardest?

Who do you talk with the most?

Who do you email the most?

Which one is the most interested in the same things you love, the same places you like to go, the same activities you like to do?

When you're experiencing something new or interesting, who is the first one to come into your mind that you wish you could share it with?

At the end of a hard day at work, who would you rather unload your day's frustrations on, knowing she'll listen and care?

When you learn something new, make a big discovery, or accomplish something exciting, who is the first person you think of telling?

If you were stranded on a deserted island for one year, which one would make your days pass more quickly because you were getting lost in each other's company?

If you were stranded on a deserted island for one year, which one would you like to have lying next to you looking up at the stars?

If you were stranded on a deserted island for one year, which one would be most likely to stay cheerful, adapt to the situation, and contribute to your survival?

When you go to bed at night, who is the last female friend you typically find yourself calling?

If you committed a felony crime, who would you be most likely to admit it to?

If each of the women you know were being mistreated by another man, which one would you feel most protective of?

Which one would be most likely to discourage you from spending too much on her, and would want you to save your money?

Which one would be most likely to accept that you couldn't afford the car she wanted, the house she wanted, the vacation she wanted, or the luxuries she wanted?

Which one is most likely to accept your flaws and not let you worry about them?

If you had Alzheimer's disease and couldn't communicate your needs anymore, which one would be most likely to bring you the new CD of your favorite music artist or new movies she knows you would enjoy?

If you were blind, who would you trust the most to take care of you, make sure you had everything you want and need, and never let you feel helpless?

If you were blind, whose voice would be most pleasing to hear?

If you became impotent, which one would be the least likely to betray you in spite of her own physical desires?

If you became impotent, which one would it sadden you most to know is no longer able to have a physical relationship?

If you had a child from a previous marriage, which one would be the most likely to be loving, attentive, and accepting of your child as her own?

Which woman would be least likely to criticize and try to change your hair, clothes, car, house, pets, or friends.

If you were forced to cheat on every woman you know, except you could spare one woman from that pain, which one could you not allow yourself to hurt in this way?

If you were on a roller coaster right now, who is the first person coming to mind that you would want to experience it with you?

Which one is the most likely to be concerned about your well-being and tell you when you're doing something that could hurt you?

Which one would your family most likely say is the perfect woman for you?

If you were to die tomorrow, which one would be most likely to take care of your pets?

If you were to die tomorrow, which one would be most likely to cry the hardest over missing you?

If you were to die tomorrow, which one would you most trust as a speaker at your wake to best communicate to everyone your unique qualities and accomplishments, and the value of your life?

Which one would be most likely to visit your grave on your birthday every year and leave something she thought you would like or that she thought would make you laugh?

Which one do you wish you could hear what she was saying at your grave so you could know how she really felt about you?

Answer 2

Lust is the sensation of infatuation in the direction of a definite characteristic(s) of a being. Love is a few thing not explainable; it rather is a feeling like none different in which you sense linked to a being without obvious reason to describe it. As a philosophical situation, love and lust are appropriate through fact lust might replace into love with time. in addition to, there could be an quantity of lust once you're in love with somebody. there's a distinction between the two that would desire to be pronounced- lust could be cloth in nature yet love is often immaterial.

Answer 3

Humans are generally preoccupied with themselves.The personal perspective is paramount in most human beings. The first step towards attainment of 'nearness' to God is to change your focus from self interest and self involvement to the problems and perspective of others. This is easier said than done, but once you achieve this to some degree your whole way of thinking and your behavior pattern will change. The idea is to achieve harmony with nature, your surroundings and those around you.
The glue which binds human societies together is love.It is love in its various forms and manifestations that cause humans to exist in groups and this grouping will one day encompass the whole human race.
The Sufis also say that God resides very close to your heart and for God to visit you you need to cleanse your heart of 'negative' emotions and thoughts and attitudes.This journey of self improvement will bring you closed to God.
Love in its purest from and stated simplistically is the welfare of the beloved , your own self is negated and that of the beloved is magnified and given primacy.That also would be the difference between lust and love.Worldly love is the training and test that will prepare you for spiritual love.
This is a personal journey and the end is not obvious , at the end of the journey one may succeed to get nearer to God although there are no guarantees.

Answer 4

Agape love, is Godly Love the kind God and Jesus have for us that they can allow us to have a temporary life with the promise of the real thing by the end of day seven.

ALL POSSIBLE WILL BE SAVE FOR THE ETERNAL LIFE

Matt.22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Matt.22:38 This is the first and great commandment. Matt.22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matt,22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

1Cor.2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1Cor.2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

2Pet.3:13; Isa.65:17; 66:1,22; There is going to be a new heavens and a new earth or paridise Rev.2:7; Luke 23:43; John 3:16; For God so Loved the World. Heb.2:9,14,16; Jesus dies to have the right to destroy Satan, death 1Cor,15:22-18; and give the New Testament Heb.9:15,16;

Answer 5

Love is a decision followed by an action. Love is patient and kind. It does not envy or boast and it is not proud. It is not rude, self seeking, easily angered nor does it keep record of wrongs (love is forgiving). Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Cor 13:4-8 NIV) Love is an outward expression of fulfilling others needs. Lust is all about fulfilling YOUR OWN WANTS AND DESIRES. Lust of cars, lust of money, lust of others. The greatest commandment is to love God with all of your heart, mind, strength and soul, and second is to love your neighbors as yourself. (Matt 22:37-39 NIV) "And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands." (2 John 1:6 NIV) "But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him." (1 John 1:5 NIV) Finding God's people will help you to develop this. Jesus once said, "The Kingdom of God is near." I tell you the truth when I say, "The Kingdom of God is here!" Seek out His kingdom and he will lead you the people that will help you to truly develop LOVE. There is only one Truth. Know the Truth.

Answer 6

Attainment of love requires compassion and caring. A turning of the other cheek. A selflessness that is uncommon in everyday society. In buddhism, they combine selfless compassion with a detachment of attachments in order find a new stronger, indifferent, universal love. Although you'll find it translated many ways by many religions, the simplest way to be near to divine energy is to serve all living creatures and to give without thought of return. Give love. Give compassion. Give possessions. The nature of the world and Karma, says that things will be given back to you naturally when you do this.

Answer 7

Love is ones intimate feelings. There are two categories of love applications, one is a spiritual love and the other is worldly love. Spiritual love means you love something or someone based on what God wants you to be love. Worldly Love is a love applies to all matters in this world without the consent of God; meaning its just a human choice... A true love means ,, Love your neighbor as you love yourself...this is unselfish love..this can bring you nearest to God...

Answer 8

When you experience love, you will have a fulfillment and joy that could only be compared to a religious experience...where you also feel the fulfillment and joy. In the latter, you could hug and enjoy your fellow Christians without the lust of sex getting in the way. It can only be experienced, not really described. I wish you the best on your journey.

Answer 9

1 John 3:16, "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." Jesus defines love for us by His sacrifice on the cross. Lust is desire for something often related sexually. So they are very different. To develop love you have to understand the love of God for you. Only then will you begin to develop true love in your life.

Answer 10

Love is concern and careing lust id desire. you can have the 2 together but it is hopefully only Love you have for your perants and children not desire unfortunatly some do not seem to be able to distinguish. God is Love in that he cares about us every one but we have to acept that love it is posible to Love from afar but it can do not good it is only evective if we show it

Answer 11

Love is mushy, sometimes Strong and or passionate.

Lust is horny and sometimes greedy and or selfish.

I don't feel like trying to answer the rest.