Love With All Your Heart....series chapter 10

Love With All Your Heart

by:

Linda Driver

 

10

Love is righteousness;

Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness and injustice, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

 

Ms. Gabby had a loose tongue that always seemed to be flapping. The trouble was, the only things about which she seemed to talk were the unfortunate situations in other people's lives and the flaws in their characters.

 

She would hunt diligently for a juicy tidbit of gossip and then run with delight to spread it around. If someone was having family troubles, Gabby would be the first to find out, and within hours the whole church knew about it. Gabby had a very pious way of gossiping, however. She considered herself to be deeply concerned and interested in people, and she would often begin her little gossip sessions with, "We really need to pray about so and so, because...." But deep in her heart, Gabby enjoyed discovering sins in others. It made her feel better about herself and her own sins, which were many.

 

She was in her prime when someone really made a bad slip-up. She would relate all the gory details, even making up a few of her own. When nobody was having any problems, Gabby found life rather boring.

 

Then one day Gabby came face to face with the claims of God's love as found in the Bible:

 

"Love...does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth."

1 Corinthians 13:6

 

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.   

Romans 12:9

   

 A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

Proverbs 11:13

 

 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.    Proverbs 20:19

 

    But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.    1 Peter 4:15

 

In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.  

  Proverbs 10:19

 

Love always looks for the good in others and believes in them.

 

Love does not repeat or listen eagerly to unfavorable reports or gossip, but rather seeks to bring to mind the good qualities in others; love doe not needlessly expose their faults.

 

Love rejoices when right and truth prevail; love is for justice, honesty, and integrity.

 

Love does not ever encourage or entice others to sin; love never participates in any evil.

 

Love hates sin, which is based on selfishness and finds no pleasure in unrighteousness.

 

Love never does or thinks anything contrary to God's will, for God is love.

 

Love cannot coexist with worldliness, sensuality and evil desires; love never justifies evil.

 

Love keeps the holy law of God for love is the fulfilling of the law.

 

Love never excuses sin itself; love never does anything that would cause a brother to stumble.