1 Corinthians 13:5d Love does not think evil

Have you ever thought of sinning? Come on now, be honest! Not that you would move on it, allow something to actually happen, but just to think about it. It is very hard to keep all your thoughts pure as a new born babe. That is not thinking evil is it? If it is then we all might well be in trouble.

When compared to our holy and righteous God everything seems evil and in reading God’s word I find no distinction of evil, just the word itself. Even doing a deeper study of evil does not render an easy answer. Evil is divided into two categories, moral and natural.

The intentional violation of our moral code would be considered evil. Intent is harder to prove than the act itself. God provided sanctuary cities for those who killed another person unawares, without intent. Once again, intent is difficult to prove.

Willful intent seems to be at the center of this verse. If we willfully sin, it would qualify as evil even if the natural laws would not speak to the act. We have freedom of speech here in America but willful intent to speak badly of another person, God would consider evil.

The final analysis of evil, which is ill-defined at best, rests in the courts of heaven. Love is demanding, and tempers our very thoughts. What the courts of man might allow, God demands more of us.

Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

You do not have to perform the act to be in violation of the law of love.

1 Corinthians 13:5c Love is not easily offended

The King James uses the word provoked but here I choose to use offended. Provoked implies an intentional attack on your sensibilities where offences often occur because we do not know the things in another’s life which leave them wounded deep inside.

We can offend without intention, but the offence exposes the presence of deep wounds that need to be healed. As we attend to fellowship with one another these things are bound to occur. Here is an opportunity to address the wound and apply the balm of grace to heal those wounds.

If we wait to be provoked, we might never see this within a fellowship setting, where friends are looking to help. We will be provoked in the world where there is no help. I know there are times when my blunt style renders an offence, but if you shrink back and do not address the offence, no healing can be found.

Being provoked in the world leads to war. The enemy will attack all the more if they perceive a weakness. I would rather reveal an offence with a friend than be provoked by an enemy. A friend will help heal the wound, the enemy will only pick at it until I start bleeding.

Proverbs 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

If I offend you, I need to know it.

Proverbs 3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:

If I cannot accept correction, I have bigger problems that the offence I caused.

1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.