Karen 'Girl' FridayFebruary 12, 2026

Valentine: What Love Is and What Love Is Not

There’s a special valentine invitation unlike any we’ve ever received. But first, we must understand what love is and what love is not.

When you think of Valentine’s Day, what memories come to mind?

Perhaps, Will you be mine? invites in grade school, college, and adulthood.

Maybe a special someone entered your life, you received a marriage proposal, or your spouse went over the top to celebrate your love.

Even a sweet childhood memory may still captivate us. Or, memories surrounding this love-holiday uncover feelings of emptiness or a lack of love.

But the most lavish, epic, and monumental Valentine’s Day to ever take place in history, celebrates the best kind of love—God’s love.

This is Love

So let’s look at what love is and what love is not.

The Bible contains some of the most powerful and beautiful words ever penned on love.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (ESV)

What Love is Not

God’s Word helps us wrap our heads around this kind of love through compare and contrast from 1 Corinthians 13.

Love is not: envious, boastful, proud, dishonoring to others, self-seeking, easily angered, keeping a record of wrongs, and delighting in evil.

Ouch! I don’t know about you, but I’ve been guilty of most at some point in my life.

Yet, God’s special love remains our only hope for overcoming these unloving attributes. And when we truly live the crucified life,—Jesus living in and through us—the Spirit wins over our flesh more and more often.