Most of us know that 1 Corinthians 13 is all about love. Written by the apostle Paul, he really makes a point to tell us what love is NOT so that we can understand what love IS. The very first thing he tells us is that love does not rejoice in wrong. Why would you and I rejoice when people do wrong? Well, we do it all the time. We love to criticize, we love to gossip, we love to pass judgement; we rejoice in the wrong! The answer is very simple, it’s because somehow it makes us feel better about us. When I’m able to look at someone and say, “look at their mistakes,” the best I could do is say that I’ve never done that. See how good that makes me feel? I know all the rotten things I’ve done, but I haven’t done THAT, so it makes me feel better about myself. I rejoice in the wrong. Maybe I look at that person and think, “yeah, I did the same thing, but I’m not the only one! I’m no worse than they are!” To rejoice in the wrong. We love to talk about people and pass judgment and be critical, because in some ways it seems to help us as we are struggling with our own negative self esteem when we feel unlovable.
Just three quick things to consider!
First, when we don’t feel lovable, cared for or forgiven, we are so critical of others. We rejoice in the wrong and we insist on our own way. We are irritable and resentful and rude. There is a very true saying, “Hurt people, hurt people.” When you experience the love of God, you know what it means to be loved and you want to be patient and kind. God loves each of us and He sometimes sends others to love us so we know the gift of love from God.
Second, there was a man conducting a seminar and he was talking to the crowd about addiction. He told the group that anyone can have an addiction, whether it be to alcohol, drugs, money , sex, food. An addiction means you can’t control your actions. He then went on to tell everyone that almost every single one of us is addicted to criticizing other people. He then challenged the group to go 24 hours without saying something unkind, negative, judgement or critical about someone else. Do you think you could do it?
Third, and now a challenge for YOU! Do you think you can go 24 hours without an unkind word? Pick a day this week and do not say one critical word about someone else. Just 24 hours! I know you will see it in other people, and I know you will think it. That is part of life. But, you don’t have to express it. So show your control and do not speak negative about anyone else. If you’ve been participating in “The Kindness Project” this year, I think this could be an incredibly powerful way to show kindness! Are you in?
