"Go on Walking in Love"-What Love Is Not

"Love is not jealous."  Improper jealously can cause us to become envious of what others have-their belongings, blessings, or abilities.  (note:  The Bible/Jehovah says  no   jealousy is proper by any means. )   Such jealousy is a selfish, destructive emotion that, left  unchecked, can disrupt the peace of the congregation.  ( Note: Jealousy is not just about the congregation here, it is wrong to be jealous of anyone.  They wrong in making it all about them.)  What will help  us to resist the "tendency to envy"?  (James 4:5)  In a word, love. this precious quality can enable us to rejoice with those who seem to have  certain advantages in life that we ourselves do not have.  (Romans 12:15) Love helps us not to view it as a personal affront when someone receives praise for some exceptional ability or outstanding achievement. 

"Love . . . does not brag, does not get puffed up." Love restrains us from flaunting our talents or accomplishments.  If we truly love our brothers, how could we constantly brag about success in the ministry or our privileges in the congregation?  Such boasting can tear others down, causing them to feel inferior in comparison.  Love does not allow us to brag about what God lets us do in his service.  (1 Corinthians 3:5-9) After all, love "does not get puffed up," or as the New Testament in Modern English says, it does not "cherish inflated ideas of its own importance." Love prevents us from having an elevated view of ourselves. -Romans 12:3. 

Next time:  "Go On Walking in Love" - Continue with What Love Is Not

From the book: Draw Close to Jehovah