Not

I Corinthians 13:4b - It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

More about love and what it does not do…

Envy, I’ve been told, is when we want something someone else has and we wish they didn’t have it.  It consumes our thoughts and eventually our actions, because when we envy a person we can’t possible feel love at the same time.

Boasting, we talked about earlier.  Bragging and telling others what we’ve accomplished places focus on “me” and “I” instead of on “He” and “Him.”  Remember, it’s in HIM that we move, live, and have our being – and he alone deserves praise.

Pride – well you know – it comes before a fall.  This isn’t referring to being proud of your children, or feeling accomplished and proud of an achievement, which are all natural feelings.  The proud mentioned here is being arrogant and “puffed up.”  Again, the focus is on “me” and not “Him.”

When we experience the love of Christ for ourselves and for others, we realize there is no need to envy – the giver of life and all good things resides with us.  We have no reason to boast because we realize every good thing we have comes from above. And pride is not our friend, but rather a humble heart that bows before Him in thanksgiving for all that he is and all that he’s done.

If either of these three reside in your heart, just ask him to come in and then receive his love, and you’ll be free to respond and love others without envy, boasting, or pride.