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Love Is Not Jealous, Proud, or Rude

God teaches me the importance of His love

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-3 NLT

God explains what love is supposed to be

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7 NLT

This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:10 NLT

God shows me what love isn’t

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 1 JOHN 4:16 NLT

Love is not Jealous

Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. GALATIANS 5:26 NLT

Love is not arrogant

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. PHILIPPIANS 2:3 ESV

Love is not rude

Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. COLOSSIANS 3:19 ESV

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. PROVERBS 15:1 NIV

… speak the truth in love, … EPHESIANS 4:15 NLT

God reveals to me how much I still need to learn about love

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7 NLT

These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, TITUS 2:4 NLT

The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 1 TIMOTHY 1:5 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place that will help you become still in your thoughts and emotions. Sometimes, walking and observing nature can help prepare for this time of reflection. Take a few deep breaths to help clear your mind. When you are ready, ask God to lead your time with Him. Review 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Considering that this passage describes how God wants you to love others, what are your thoughts and feelings? Ask God to help you discern an aspect of this kind of love that He wants to grow you in. Picture how your life would be different if you were to grow in this aspect of godly love. Pray about what godly love is not and how this applies to you. What do you sense God wants to transform in you to better reflect His love? Close your time by confessing to God the ways that you do not love like Him. Invite the Holy Spirit to enable you to love like Jesus and show you an action you can take this week to practice godly love.

Discussion Questions

Choose a couple of the following questions from each section that best fit your group. Or, have everyone read the questions, choosing which one(s) from each section that they feel led to respond to.

  1. START HERE: How would it be helpful if, in English, we had different words for different kinds of love?
  2. START HERE: How have the world’s definitions of love affected your own views on what love is?
  3. START HERE: Why do you think it’s important to define what love isn’t?
  4. KEEP GOING: Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 (NLT). What would the world be like if we experienced this kind of love?
  5. KEEP GOING: Consider the attributes of love described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT). In looking at what love isn’t, which of these is most challenging for you? Why do you think that particular area is so challenging?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read Proverbs 15:1 (NLT). Think of a time when you were jealous, arrogant, or rude to someone, but they responded with loving gentleness (instead of harshness). How did that change the situation or your feelings towards them?
  7. LIVE IT OUT: God calls us to love in a different way. What steps could you take this week to begin letting go of jealousy, pride, or rudeness to better love those around you?
  8. LIVE IT OUT: What relationships in your life have confronted you with your need to grow in love?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: Where do you think God wants you to grow the most in love during this series?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: This week, re-read the passage (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT) on your own, reminding yourself that this is how God loves you and empowering you to love others in the same way.