Definition of Love: Understanding the Essence of Love

Posted: February 14, 2019
By: weadmin

The definition of love, as a concept, is a term with varying thoughts, ideas, and highly debated opinions. Yet, what exactly is love? Has its worth been reduced to mere fleeting emotions? What are the components of love? What sustains it?  How exactly do we define it?

Love’s Challenges

One major challenge many face today is the difficulty in sustaining love in long-term relationships. In recent times, it seems to be getting harder to have long-lasting loving relationships, as evidenced by continued broken relationships and skyrocketing divorce rates.

Perhaps, what it will take to mend society’s brokenness, when it comes to love and relationships, is to peel back to the core of the definition of love. You see, to get the true definition and purpose of something, the best person to ask would be the author or the creator of that thing. Therefore, to get the true meaning and definition of love, we have to seek the author –Love Himself. Let’s begin!

The Definition of Love

First, let’s consider this! We shouldn’t limit love to people in relationships and marriages. Instead, love should be understood as something that is expected to be expressed to all. I’m talking about the basic essence of human love; agape love. This is the kind of love is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. When we understand the art of expressing this to others, then we will easily show our love to our significant other.

The fact is, love goes beyond just emotions; emotions oftentimes cause us to be fickle. It is also beyond sex! The truth is the definition of love is derived through God, our creator’s character, and He has placed in us the ability to share love in it’s richest form. Learning from the source, love can be be identified, appreciated, and sustained through these characteristics:

Love is Patient

Love is not hasty. It waits. Love understands the importance of time and doesn’t rush the other. It expresses itself and is patient until it is reciprocated. It doesn’t rush into a decision or expect its recipient to respond in haste. Love is slow to anger and patient in times of wrongs and errors. Patience is a virtue, a deliberate act that is cultivated. It does not give up easily, it looks at another person and says “even though you’re being unreasonable right now, I will be patient with you. I will wait until you regain reason. Furthermore, I will keep loving you even though it is hard for me. I will wait for the right time to do things with you.”

Love is Kind

Love is good and does not seek to hurt, even after it has been hurt itself. With love, seeking revenge is not an option. It is kind, speaks good words of encouragement and makes sacrifices. It allows the recipient to be comfortable and flourish. Rather than focusing on the bad, it strives to see the good in each person and seeks to bring out the best in people. Being considerate comes easy and puts its recipients’ interest before taking actions. Its goodness and kindness is independent of the actions of others and is good anyway. Its kindness is not diminished by wrongdoings or faults but instead, it abounds. Kindness is not based on emotions but is a conscious and deliberate act.

Love Gives

Love gives freely and liberally, not expecting anything in return. Giving is not just restricted to material gifts and could also mean giving of time, attention, and service. It gives of itself, holding nothing back and is always ready to make sacrifices and gives for the greater good of the recipient. It doesn’t give as a means to show off or impress but gives so that needs are met and its recipient does not lack essentials.

…And it Keeps Giving

Giving, as a character, is not in response to its recipient’s actions but in response to needs. Love doesn’t say “I would buy you this pair of shoes because you gave me a bag last week.” Instead, it says, “you need a new pair of shoes, I can afford to give you one freely and so I will. Also, you don’t have to pay back in any form.” It doesn’t say, “I will share my umbrella with you because you gave me food to eat last week.” it says, “I will share my umbrella with you because you could catch a cold if you get beaten by the rain”

Final Thoughts

Now, imagine you had friends that would treat you within the characteristics of love! Let’s go a bit further. Imagine you are in a relationship with someone that would extend the character of love. What do you think about this idea? How does it make you feel? If this “floats your boat,” you can begin with a plan to develop or enhance this “character of love” mindset and put it into action. While you are at it consider looking at True Love: 3 Critical Character Traits and add them to your love life toolkit. We could all use a little help in this area. The point is to let it begin with you! You will also need to be patient, kind and loving to yourself as you go through this process of change. The fact is change is not easy…it takes time. The key is to keep trying and grow daily in love.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

1 John 4:7–8

Reference: 1 Corinthians 13