1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "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 when the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."
We all know what being proud is, and we have all been proud before. 'I did this! I did that!' And sometimes, it's great to inform others of the things you have done and the things you are excited about. But when being proud becomes being prideful, and when telling someone about yourself becomes boasting is when it becomes a sin.
"How are you really showing love for someone else if you are being boastful and proud? If you do that, all they see if the love you have for yourself." -Stefanie Hampton
The Bible says that 'kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.' (Proverbs 16:24) During a conversation, you will always be tempted to talk about yourself! It's okay every once in awhile, but to really show the ACTION of loving others, we have to think more about them than we do ourselves. Try listening more than you speak today. After all, we have two ears and one mouth for a good reason.
Proverbs 16:5- "The Lord detests the proud; they will surely be punished."
The Lord despises those who are surrounded by a bubble of self-love. Be careful never to take the glory that the Lord deserves. If someone compliments you on being a loving, kind person, tell them that it's only because of the love that the Lord has for you! God will use you in any way he pleases, according to his perfect plan. There is no need to be proud of yourself when you can be proud of your God and amazed at His glory.
Proverbs 16:33- "We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall."
Proverbs 16:18- "Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall."
Keep loving others the best you can through Christ, and living up to God's standard. Work hard for His glory! If you listen to others very carefully, you may discover awesome things that you never knew before.
-Jenna Hampton
with Stefanie Hampton
