What is the difference between lust and love?

2 Samuel 13:1-19David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar. And Amnon, her half brother, fell desperately in love with her. . . . as she [Tamar] was feeding him, he [Amnon] grabbed her and demanded, “Come to bed with me, my darling sister.” “No, my brother!” she cried. “Don’t be foolish! Don’t do this to me! Such wicked things aren’t done in Israel. . . .” But Amnon wouldn’t listen to her, and since he was stronger than she was, he raped her. Then suddenly Amnon’s love turned to hate, . . . “Throw this woman out, and lock the door behind her!” So the servant put her out and locked the door behind her.

Love gives unselfishly to others and never takes what is not freely given. Lust takes what it wants regardless of another’s needs or desires.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Love is patient and kind. Lust is impatient, rude, and cruel.