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1 Corinthians 13: 4
..... charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, KJV
.....love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant ESV
In our previous study we focused on the what love is - love is patient and kind. Now we find what love it not - love does not envy or boast, and is not arrogant!
It is quite possible that in our busyness of life that we often do not think of the seriousness of living our daily lives in ways that are sinful and displeasing to the Lord. We read in James 3: 14-16 some very serious words that we should take heed to. It says: But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
Where envy and self seeking exist, there is confusion and every evil thing there! It is demonic! wow! Let us turn to the Lord in repentance and get rid of these things in our lives.
Our 1 Corinthians verse states that love does not envy. When one has envy in his heart, there is not love. We can think of some Old Testament Bible stories like the story of Joseph where the brothers were envious of him, and sold him into slavery in Egypt. The brothers envy was hateful and led them to do evil things. We can think of the story of Sarah and Abraham, where Sarah was so desperate to have a child, she gave her maid Hagar to Abraham to have her bear a child. Sarah did not wait on the Lord, but took matters into her own hands. Then when Hagar became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham, Sarah was jealous and did not want Hagar nor her son Ishmael, around and therefore Abraham sent them away. Here too envy led to some very bad decisions.
We also read in the New Testament where the chief priests wanted Jesus to be killed because their hearts were filled with envy, and Barabbas was released and Jesus was crucified. You can read it in Mark 15.
We are to lay aside all envy as we walk with the Lord Jesus.
1 Peter 2:1-3 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Love does not boast and is not arrogant. This has to do with pride. We must realize and admit that everything we have accomplished or earned or received in this life is a gift from the hand of God. He is the One who gives us strength and abilities, opportunities and all we need to work. We cannot and should not take the credit for ourselves. All glory and honor belongs to the Lord!! Also when we pass from here, we can take none of our earthly treasures with us. All the money you have in the bank will be left here on this earth. You cannot take your riches with you. It makes no sense to be arrogant and proud about these things as they are only on loan to us from the Lord. As the famous CT Studd said - "Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Psalm 49:6-20They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.13 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.
1 Corinthians 13:4-10
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
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