Day Five - love is not proud

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:

day one - love is patient

day two - love is kind

day three - love does not envy

day four - love does not boast

Thanks again for stopping by!  Tomorrow is love does not dishonor others.  See you then!

Have a blessed day!  Gig 'em and God bless!

Holly

You can check my FAVORITE link-ups page to find the awesome girlies I'm linking up with today.  Show them some LOVE! :)