Lust Is Not Love

The English language can be confusing due to the many possible meanings of certain words. That is especially true with the word “Love” which can be used to describe everything from a person’s preference for food (“I love milkshakes”) to their highest relationships (“I love God and Neighbor”).

The ancient Greeks used different words to describe these various and different levels of affection. Accordingly, the Greek term “eros” referred to sexual desire whereas the Greek term “philia” referred to the love of close friends. The highest form of love was known as “agape” and referred to the unconditional love of God for human beings and human beings for God.

Love implies concern for the good of the other while Lust implies using another person for one’s own desire or pleasure. Thus, love is fundamentally other-centered whereas lust is fundamentally self-centered. As such, there is no area of overlap.