Four types of Love

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love..."
Galatians 5:22
The first fruit of the Spirit is Love. It's no wonder, Love is the strongest feeling and the hardest one.
Their are four different types of love, 1) eros, 2) stergo, 3) phileo, and 4) agape. (Those are the Greek words.) All of these are a type of love, but they are very different from each other. It is very important that you are able to distinguish them from each other.

Eros
This is the first type of Love. This word for love is physical love. The sensual, carnal impulses to satisfy or gratify the desires of the flesh. This is a harsh and demanding type of love. This type of love doesn't ask for your love, it demands or begs it. This confirms that this is not a giving type of love, but a demand. This "love" does not seek to give one pleasure but seeks to take what it wants and then move on. If a marriage or relationship is based on Eros it will not last long.

Stergo
This is the second type of Love. This is the kind of love that exists between parents and children. Or the love that exists between members of a family. Or, on occasion, the love of a nation for its ruler, or even the love of a dog for its master. This love is more like a devotion.

Phileo
The third word for love means affection, such as the relationship of a boyfriend/girlfriend. Or the relationship of two friends. Although this word has all the attributes of a good friendship it is not the highest form of love; that is agape.

Agape
This is the last and most important of all the types of love. This is high-level love, because their is not higher, finer, or a more perfect love than agape. Agape occurs when an individual sees, recognizes, understands, or appreciates the value of an object or a person, causing the viewer to behold this object or person in great esteem, awe, admiration, wonder, and sincere appreciation. In fact, this love is so strong that it is irresistible. John 3:16 is the best example of agape. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." God loved us so much that he sent his only Son, his pride and joy to die for us. Sinners, people that didn't even appreciate what God had already done for us. We were so precious to God that His heart was stirred by love, Agape love.
This love is so strong that it know no limits or boundaries. It can go on forever and ever and never die out or fade. It is so strong that it will give itself up for that person or object that is cherishes. Agape love is a self-sacrificial type of love that moves the lover to action. It has not strings attached.
This is how Christ loves the bride. How God loves us. How we should love others.
Examine yourself today and see what type of love you are exhibiting.