Welcome to day four of our love challenge! Today we will continue with what the Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 on how we should love. Remember, love is a verb, not a noun!
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 for Dummies (and that dummy is me!). Google defines boast as does not talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions or abilities. The opposite of boast is humility and modesty - that's what we should be striving for as we love each other.
Other translations broke it down where I could understand it better. Love doesn't strut (The Message), love doesn't brag (Easy-to-Read version), and love is not conceited (Good News Translation).
To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’ and to the
wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.
Psalm 75:4 (NIV)
They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are
full of boasting.
Psalm 94:4 (NIV)
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what
a day may bring.
Proverbs 27:1 (NIV)
Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in
the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:31 (NIV)
In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord
would, but as a fool.
2 Corinthians 11:17 (NIV)
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes
great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small
spark.
James 3:5 (NIV)
This is what the Lord says:
“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast
of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let
the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the
understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and
righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)
We aren't meant to love others to build up ourselves or our own egos. We love so that we can build up and serve others. The one awesome thing you can take away from this is that if boasting is hard for you - it's ok! All it takes is a little shift in perspective - not me, but thee. If we keep our focus on God, loving people the way He wants us to will become a little easier day by day.
here's the links to the past couple of days in case you missed them
I'm so glad you are on this journey with me! I am learning so much and I hope that you are too! Come back tomorrow for love is not proud.
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
I love that "love is a verb, not a noun!" That's a great thing to remember! Found you on the Women With Intention link party.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that such a fun little reminder? Our pastor uses it frequently and it always makes me think! Glad you found me! I hope you come back for more of the love challenge!
DeleteThat last verse....definitely writing that one down! And Proverbs 27:1....really spoke to me about this season we are about to enter for the next few months. It's so hard for me to separate boasting from just being proud.
ReplyDeleteIt's been so fun digging in to these verses. Happy to share some nuggets of knowledge that I've been gaining! God is so good!
DeleteGreat series! I especially love the "love is a verb, not a noun." So true! Thanks for sharing this! -Jess
ReplyDeletewww.sweetlittleonesblog.com
Thanks, Jessica! So glad you stopped by! Come back for more of the love challenge tomorrow! :)
DeleteI love your cute personality that shines through your post!! I also love all that you shared on love. Such a challenging truth! My favorite take away? Not Me- THEE. LOVE that. :)
ReplyDeleteChris - you absolutely made my day! Thank you so much! Just when I was thinking I might have bit off more than I can chew with this love challenge - God sends you my way to encourage me to keep going! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Come back tomorrow for more about what love is! :)
DeleteUgh...I feel like this is a tough one with social media today! I feel like I battle this every time I post a picture...I never want others to think I am boasting/bragging about my life. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteTrue about social media but if our hearts are right I think we should definitely share! I always worry about putting too much of our service project stuff out there cause I don't want others to think I'm patting ourselves on the back. I'm SO inspired by others (you especially!) that if I could inspire someone else - wow! That would be awesome! I have a feed full of outfits, vacations, cool stuff, etc. - I don't think we should feel bad about sharing our life. But, I fully agree - it's a tough one!
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