What is love?
The definition of love is found only once in the Bible: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
Let’s continue to give ourselves a biblical “love” test by looking closely at the words and phrases used to describe love.
The sixth biblical descriptor of love is “not rude.”
Love that is not rude lacks any contempt for another. Instead of interrupting, it welcomes another’s thoughts. Instead of put-downs, it offers encouragement. It replaces shaming with the gift of grace.
On the contrary, love that is rude is inconsiderate. It places no value on the feelings of others. It lacks empathy and instead looks for opportunities to condemn.
Rudeness to others is the product of self-centeredness. It fixates on its own needs, its own desires, its own agenda. It’s the antithesis of servanthood.
How are you doing with the sixth part of God’s love test? Are you quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19)? This is a great litmus test for love that is not rude.
Before you answer, consider this: Who is the center of your universe? You? Or the Creator of the universe?
I think now you are ready to answer.
“Love is not rude…”