Thursday, February 12, 2009

L.O.L. - Deflating the Windbag


Last Sunday we saw the first three characteristics of real Biblical love as defined in First Corinthians 13 (love is patient; love is kind; love does not envy). As we continue our L.O.L. series which is teaching us how to Love Out Loud, we now see eight additional ways to live out love in the Body of Christ.

Continuing in verse four, we see that Biblical love does not brag. The Greek word literally means “to talk conceitedly” and comes from the root word which literally means “windbag”. Love, according to the Bible is not a windbag. We all know of someone from our past or maybe our present who was or is a windbag. That is all they do is talk about their own accomplishments with most of the facts most likely heavily embellished. No matter what topic comes up, they have a “bigger and better” story. This is the opposite of jealousy. Jealousy wants what you have while this tries to make you jealous of what it has (1 Corinthians 3:21). This describes a person who does not talk about their own accomplishments in order to make them look superior and you look inferior.

We also see in verse four that true, Biblical love, the kind by which all men will know that we are followers of Christ, is not arrogant. Bragging (being a windbag) is the verbal action of pride. Arrogance is the inner attitude of pride (1 Corinthians 4:6-8, 10, 18; 5:1-2). This describes a person who does not think they are better than you are and who would rather focus attention on you rather than them. A great parallel verse to this concept is found in Philippians 2:3 where we find the antithesis of being arrogant:

Do nothing out of selfishness = the desire to get ahead

Do nothing out of empty conceit = the desire to be noticed

But with humility of mind = this word described Nile River at its lowest stage

Regard one another as more important than yourself = this is the essence of a love that is not arrogant.

Moving on to verse five we find that love does not act unbecomingly. This is translated “rude” in the New International Version and deals with a lack of manners and self-discipline (1 Corinthians 11:17-22). This describes a person who treats you with excellent manners and with respect.

Verse five goes on to teach that love does not seek its own. This describes a person who is not just interested in their own things but also that which interests you. The antithesis of this is seen in Philippians 2:4 where Paul tells us not simply to look out for our own personal interests but also for the interests of others. Jesus exemplified this in Matthew 20:28. One of the things that keeps the church from “Loving Out Loud” is the fact that we feel we have a right to fight for our personal preferences.

2 comments:

Andy Spade said...

How disappointing. After reading the heading I assumed this would be a blog about how you are planning to shorten your sermons.

Pastor Scott said...

Come on, Andy...my sermons are only 10 minutes long right now.