Here is a series of what love is not from Paul: it's not jealous, boastful, proud, rude; it's not selfish, irritable, vengeful and it is never unfair. Whenever we are exhibiting any of these things, we are not acting in love! However, when we are patient and kind (both fruits of the Spirit in the list Paul gives in Galatians 5); when we are hopeful, never losing faith, persevering and enduring through everything and anything then we exhibit love and the more we do these things, the more our love grows. God is love, therefore the Holy Spirit of God is love and as we allow Him to reveal Himself in our lives-our words, deeds, attitudes-so we are able to love freely- ''streams of living water''.
Some of the negative attributes listed will entail us working hard to eliminate. Are you the sort of person who keeps a score against those who have wronged you? Do you find it hard to forgive others? Do you find it easier to carry guilt rather than bring it to Christ asking for forgiveness? Do you find it second nature to tell the world any good action which you have done? All of these things will require you to be focussed in getting rid of them from your life.
We all suffer from sins which repeatedly deflect us from our walk with Jesus. These are things that we feel helpless against. I had a friend who was an alcoholic, spent time in rehab, got cured and spent a few years of normal living and then began to drink again. I used to say to him that all he had to do was avoid the one shop in the village which sold alcohol and he would get healthy again, but it was impossible for him! Ours might be some other abiding sin, but we must change as our lives are to be filled with the Holy Spirit, that is the way of discipleship!