LOVE’S DISPOSITION: NOT BOASTFUL OR PROUD

…it does not boast, it is not proud – 1 Corinthians 13:4c (NIV)

Love does not boast and love is not proud. Love’s disposition is humble both words and deeds. Love does not boast in itself. Love is not boastful or bashful. Love does not brag and is not arrogant. “Love does not parade itself…” (NKJV). “Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head…” (Message).

BOASTING, like envying is also self-centred. When I envy I focus on how little I have, when I boast I focus on how much I have. Neither points toward love. Some Corinthians bragged in their carnal divisions (1:12), while others wrongly exalted themselves on the basis of their gifts and abilities: “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1 Cor.4:7).

BOASTING or BRAGGING exalts oneself and looks down on others. Such behaviour does not show regard for the honour of others, nor for the glory of God. Once a person brags, the object of discussion is despised and seen as a utensil to be used. Love requires a person to see good things in others and more often is silent when nothing quickly could be found.

All of these do not however mean that we should fail to thankfully acknowledge and testify to what God has done in us and in others. Love does not discredit sincere accomplishments or try to diminish genuine achievements. Rather, it does not exalt itself over others as if one’s successes were based only on one’s merit. That is why the accompanying attribute is: Love is not proud…not arrogant!

Love is not proud, arrogant, or overly self-confident. While boasting or bragging speaks of one’s accomplishments, arrogance is often an attitude of the mind. Arrogance will shed its undesired fruit through furtive glances, subtle comments, sly attitudes, and underhand gestures. Pride is the source of much destruction and pain in the world (Pro.16: 5,18). Love prefers the respect of others over ones selfish desires.

The beauty of Love is not in the way it compromises the best for the inferior, but in that it is very keen to demonstrate its nature of giving. Love excels in what we find the hardest to do: giving rather than receiving; waiting rather than demanding; extending tender care especially to those who do not deserve it; acknowledging our own weaknesses rather than clamouring for compliments to feed pride.

Ponder: Am I in the habit of only telling about my great accomplishments? Do I always think better of myself than others? What am I proud of – my social standing, intellectual abilities, ministerial connections, or spiritual gifts?