“[Love] does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth.” –I Corinthians 13:5. [NKJV]
A person with God’s love in his heart is polite, kind and considerate—never rude in behavior. We live in a “dog-eat-dog age,” in an era of road rage and manners-not-minded conduct. Rough-hewn personalities emerge when least expected unless we allow the love of God and the Spirit of God to control our actions toward others. Graciousness and courtesy can be taught, can be learned. Love exemplifies this characteristic.
Love does not seek its own. This does not mean that we should abandon our children or those in need of our help and leave them to scrap out a life for themselves. It does mean that we abandon our own selfish interests and pursuits, not amassing to ourselves those things which we do not need and seldom use.
Love does not insist upon its own way but seeks the mutual good and well-being of those involved in the love relationship. Love is completely unselfish, seeking for the other better than for self.
Love is not provoked. From the Latin “pro” and “vocare,” it literally means to call forth with the voice. To incite to anger, to stir up consciously, to pique or quicken.
Love never seeks to vex, rile, aggravate or offend. Instead of provoking, the one with love in his heart seeks to calm, propitiate, soothe, and quell.
Love thinks no evil. We’re familiar with the hands over eyes, ears, mouth and the admonition to “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.” But just let a ripe piece of gossip fall upon our ears. Not only do we think about it and harbor ill-will against the person or persons whom the gossip targets. Further, we can hardly wait to tell someone else, “Did you hear…?” And the rumors run rife. Love thinks no evil of others. Check the sources and the stories. Think no evil, harmful or character-demeaning thoughts of others. This is easier said than practiced. Work on it.
Love rejoices—not in iniquity but in truth. This is akin to thinking no evil about others. We do not rejoice in unrighteousness. Love rejoices in the truth. How much more quickly do we hear bad news instead of good news, evil news rather than beneficial news? Could our love for others allow us to begin rejoicing in the good, the true?
Prayer: Father, help me to replace negative characteristics with positive ones in my life.
c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Tuesday, February 16, 2010
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