Join us as we focus each day for nine weeks on a different part of 1 Corinthians 13.
Friday: Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Saturday: It always protects, always trusts
Sunday: Always hopes, always perseveres.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4b
Read: 1 Corinthians 13:4
Listen: 1 Corinthians 13
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Loving well in the midst of conflict is so difficult. Every Tuesday during this series, we reflect on how love does not envy, it does not boast, and it is not proud. There is no coincidence that Paul put these three right next to each other. They are deeply connected, and all rooted in self-centeredness.
Love does not envy. Pastor Jeff Manion often talks about how envy is the wounded voice in our head that asks, “Why them and not me?” It’s not just that they take those vacations, or have those well-behaved kids, or drive that specific car. It is that we don’t. Listening to that whispering, wounded voice isn’t love.
Love does not boast. What is wrong with telling others about our gifts, abilities, successes or wins? When done with the proper attitude, it is good to celebrate the gifts God has given us. The problem is that often we are driven to elevate ourselves over others. It’s not just that God has given us a skill or ability—it’s that we are focused on ourselves.
Love is not proud. Pride can be a good thing when we simply express pride in our work or proud of a child or family member. However, pride also has a dark side. Pride is often profoundly self-centered. Pride can drive us to be the center of attention and ignore or minimize the strengths of others. That isn’t love. Love delights in the abilities of others and rejoices in their successes.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
We have spent the last few weeks daily returning to the Habits of Love challenge. Spend a few minutes today and ask God to show you where you have grown in the areas of envy, boasting and pride. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, but today we want to celebrate the growth that has occurred.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
