These seven things show you how to walk in love

I used to do a Bible survey with pastors' groups. I would call out a chapter in the New Testament and see if they knew a verse from it.

The only chapter I could never catch them on?  1 Cor. 13.  “The love chapter.”

We all know that chapter.  But have we applied it?

Here are the seven main principles that guide us in “the love walk”:

1.Love is not impatient and harsh.

Patience—oh, how difficult. We are so quick to be impatient at a red light or a slow internet signal.  

We turn that impatience into harshness with people…even those we supposedly “love.”

Ask God to calm you down.  Weigh your words for a few seconds before you release them with a harsh, angry tone.

2. Love is not boastful, arrogant, or proud.

Ah, the ego.  We want everyone to know our accomplishments.  If they haven’t heard, we inform them.  

Pride and ego inflate and exalt “self.”  Raised eyebrows, chest out, and an egotistical smirk on our faces.  “I got you.”  

Humility grows on the stalk of love. You let others recount your accomplishments instead of trumpeting them.

3. Love is not rude.

Love does not embarrass others.  It does not act unbecomingly.  It is not ill-mannered.

Stop and think about what your behavior is doing to others around you.  Are you attracting attention that they don’t want?  

Did you answer them in language that was way too strong?  Tone it down.  Soften your tone.  Be mannerly and polite with others.  They deserve that respect.

4. Love is not selfish.

The root of all that is not love is “self.”

Some people insist on their way.  Maybe their parents never told them, “No.” Perhaps they never gracefully lost a game or a friendly match.

The “me first” attitude is everywhere.  It demands until it wins.  

Lose gracefully.  Yield to the needs of others.  Put them ahead of you, especially in close relationships like a marriage.

5.  Love is not touchy.

Wake up with a good attitude.  Smile at the first person you meet.  Don’t lean on caffeine to make you able to live with!

When you’re hot, when you are in line, when you have a flight canceled, when you spill something, don’t be “touchy.”  

I don’t want to be irritable.  I want my temperament to be even, settled, and predictable.

6.  Love is not grudge-bearing

The Hatfields and the McCoys.

Years of harboring hurt and nursing offenses.

“Let it go.”  This word means to “not keep records of wrong.”  

I found that love wants to forgive instantly.  The longer you chew on and digest it, the more it settles in.

Forgive them, and God will forgive you.

7.  Love does not rejoice at the fall of others.

Love cares for its enemies.

It’s easy to love those you love.  But can you pray for your enemies?  

Would you love to see them fall and fail?  Love wants to see them change and succeed.

Let’s “walk in love.”

I’ve got a lot of room for change.  Take the challenge with me, and let’s transform our world with the love of Christ!