4. Infatuation is obsessed with externals, but LOVE is concerned with internals. — “Puppy love” is obsessed with the figure, is a slave to the fashion, and is intoxicated with sex appeal. In fact, where infatuation reigns, sex dominates the relationship. True LOVE admires the figure, appreciates fashion, and anticipates sexual intimacy within the bond of marriage. True LOVE is more concerned with the personality, the kind of person the partner really is. LOVE examines the habits, the inner virtues or vices. True LOVE pays attention to the character, the inner self.

5. Infatuation is childish, but LOVE is mature. — Childish and selfish, this “puppy love” says, “Give me,” with little or no concern for the other. It is self-centered. But true LOVE is other centered. It is concerned with the welfare of one’s partner. Childish and irresponsible, infatuation says, “I don’t understand the word tomorrow; give it to me now.” It cries for gratification today, regardless of the consequences later. On the other hand, true LOVE refrains from enjoying today, which it will regret tomorrow. Infatuation thinks “like a child” and behaves like a child, but true LOVE is mature — it has “put childish ways behind” (1 Corinthians 13:11).

6. Infatuation is a human ditch, but LOVE is a divine ladder. — One goes down, the other goes up. Infatuation is a ditch into which blindfolded people fall, but LOVE is a ladder onto which wide-eyed people climb. In a certain sense, we do not “fall” in love; we climb on to love. True LOVE does not come by accident; it involves effort. It takes thinking and working and caring.

“ALL true LOVE comes from God. That tender emotion, that ability to desire, that capacity to caress was implanted in our being by the creator, God.”

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