It’s a yearly phenomenon: sometime after New Year’s Day, store shelves become stocked exclusively with pink, red, and white items. Candy aisles overflow with boxes of chocolates and pastel candy hearts (which, in my opinion, taste about as good as the banal greetings printed on them). Brightly colored bouquets of flowers sit, ready-to-grab, along each checkout line.

The historic St. Valentine would probably be surprised to see how his story of martyrdom inspired the world’s most-celebrated romantic holiday.

I enjoy chocolate and flowers (and chocolate flowers!) as much as the next person. But, for most of us, the sentiments of Valentine’s Day fade from memory as quickly as heart-shaped stock disappears from stores to make room for St. Patrick’s Day shamrocks and Easter eggs. We might even wonder if this holiday has anything to do with real love.

This Valentine’s Day, I invite you to take a moment to ground your heart and mind in the Bible’s definition of love.

5 VERSES THAT POINT US TOWARD LOVE

There is no shortage of Bible verses about love.

The Bible tells us that God is love (1 John 4:8). His greatest expression of love toward us was sending his only Son to die for our sins (John 3:16). And now, we can love others like Jesus loves us (1 John 4:19).

Perhaps one of the best-known passages on love is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (GNT):

Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail.

Love is eternal. There are inspired messages, but they are temporary; there are gifts of speaking in strange tongues, but they will cease; there is knowledge, but it will pass.

By looking closely at this description of love, reflected in other Scripture passages, you can find inspiration to help you express true love to the people in your life this Valentine’s Day and throughout the year!

Here are 5 verses that point us toward the Bible’s perfect vision of love.

Love is patient.

Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another.

Ephesians 4:2 GNT

Love is kind.

Be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.

Ephesians 4:32 GNT

Love is happy with the truth.

Now that by your obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves and have come to have a sincere love for other believers, love one another earnestly with all your heart.

1 Peter 1:22 GNT

Love never gives up.

Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers over many sins.

1 Peter 4:8 GNT

Love is eternal.

Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 GNT