Welcome back! Today is basically a continuation of yesterday. As I'm slowly going through these verses, I'm noticing how each quality builds on the one before it. Today is no different.
Yesterday we learned that love does not boast and today's characteristic is love is not proud. Upon first glance, it might appear that these two go hand in hand. But, pride is more serious than boasting. The definitions (thanks to Google!) of boasting and pride appear almost identical except for one thing. Boasting is feeling self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions or abilities but pride is to feel deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions. Have you ever said, "After all I've done for you, this is the way you treat me?!". Yep, that's pride. Ouch! Sadly, a version of this has been said to my kiddos so.many.times ("I've been cleaning this house all day and you guys come in..." - yeah, you get the rest). A truly loving, not prideful, person is aware that everything he or she has is an undeserved gift given to them by God. Can you imagine how many times a day God could say to us, "after all I've done for you, this is the way you treat me?". But, He doesn't. He loves us the way we should strive to love others.
Other versions/translations describe this characteristic as: love doesn't have a swelled head (The Message) and love is not arrogant (The Voice). Let's also look at other verses in the Bible about pride:
Whoever slanders
their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has
haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not
tolerate.
Psalm 101:5 (NIV)
The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 16:5 (NIV)
Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
Proverbs
16:19 (NIV)
Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
Proverbs 21:4 (NIV)
Live in harmony with one
another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low
position. Do not be conceited.
Romans 12:16 (NIV)
But he gives us more
grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
James 4:6 (NIV)
I love this last verse. It's proof to us that our God is a forgiving and understanding Father. He knows we are going to blow this but he wants us to keep trying. Keep loving on others - practice makes perfect!
links to previous days:
Thanks again for stopping by! Tomorrow is love does not dishonor others. See you then!
You can check my FAVORITE link-ups page to find the awesome girlies I'm linking up with today. Show them some LOVE! :)
Have a blessed day! Gig 'em and God bless!
Holly
This is lovely and such a fabulous reminder!
ReplyDeleteThe scriptures you shared here really reinforce this point that love is not proud.
Thanks so much for sharing and for linking up to the SHINE Blog Hop!
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Thanks, Jennifer! Thanks for hosting the SHINE blog hop! Shine just so happens to be my word of the year! :)
DeleteHave a blessed day and I'll see you next week!
Thanks so much for sharing this with the Bloglovin' Blog Hop. This is an excellent series you're doing. Unfortunately I could absolutely hear myself saying "Do you know how hard I..." You definitely gave me something to pray about and work on.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet words, Carrie Ann! Definitely something God has put on my heart. I thought I had an understanding of what all the love is stuff meant - I was so wrong! I've been convicted so much (but in a good way!). Thanks for stopping by! I hope you'll come back!
DeleteI especially love where you said "keep loving others - practice makes perfect". That is so true! What a great series! -Jess
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jess! It's definitely given me lots to think about and work on! Hope you come back tomorrow!
DeleteGreat reminder. Thanks for sharing the Scriptures. Romans 12:16 is my favorite!
ReplyDeleteherweightlossdiary.blogspot.com
Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteYikes...this love stuff is getting tough!! Thanks for breaking everything done in a way I can understand and relate to. You are so right...we always need to be aware of all the gifts God has given us...undeservingly so and use them to glorify him, not ourselves!
ReplyDeleteEvery day I think - come on, God! Don't make this so hard!!! :) But, I'm learning so much and am glad you are on this journey with me!
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