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Four Negatives

              It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (I Corinthians 13:5)

          Feel free to repeat yesterday’s exercises with this verse. Today’s selection from this famous passage demonstrates something worthy of consideration. It (love) does not…is not…is not…keeps no. Yesterday’s selection included two positives (patient, kind) but three negatives (not envy, not boast, not proud.) In this famous passage, we are told seven things that love is or does, and nine things that love is not and does not.

          The first point for today: Love does not dishonor others. The Greek Interlinear translation I have says, “does not act unbecomingly.” There’s some cultural influence here. What dishonored others or was unbecoming a century ago may not be now. So let’s ignore the examples and generalize. Love does not seek to make the lover look good and the other look bad. It doesn’t embarrass, humiliate, or shame. Too many people think we should call others names, belittle, demean, and shame those who don’t live the way they dictate. There are cultures in which this is considered normal and appropriate, but Scripture disagrees.

          This sort of behavior has a name in logic. It’s the ad hominem fallacy. It involves attacking the person rather than discussing the issue. It can run in either direction- “You’re______   if you do X.” Or “Because you do/think X, you’re ______.” Here’s the problem. If you are stupid and claim that 2+2=4, that doesn’t mean that 2+2 equals something other than 4. You’re not wrong just because you’re stupid. You could be stupid and be right. So the attack on your intelligence is not a proof that what you’ve  said is wrong.

          Love is not self-seeking. Just as love doesn’t turn the spotlight on others to make them feel or seem bad, love also does not turn the spotlight on the lover to make them feel superior or good. This is one of the things gas lighters do.

          Love is not easily angered. There are two self-justifications involved with anger. The first is that “It’s not my fault. _____ made me angry.” So, that person has control of you. You can’t do other than what he/she says? The other is, ”I have a right to be angry.” Yes, you have a right to be angry. But must you? Is it the best option available? Just because you have a right doesn’t mean you have no choice but to exercise that right.  You don’t have to own a gun just because you have a right to do so.

          Love keeps no record of wrongs. This rejects a common attack in bad arguments: “You always/never ___.”  Love forgives. That doesn’t mean actions don't have consequences. It means that we don't choose to continue the cycle of hatred.

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