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1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (4d)
To help us better understand the meaning of the words “puffed up” as is stated in the NKJV, we will look to the NIV as it states this same verse of 1 Corinthians 13:4d as “it is not proud” as relating to love. The ESV describes this as being “arrogant.” Puffed up, proud, arrogant, all relate to the same thing which is not representative of love. As we review 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NKJV), “4Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;”, we learn that the Apostle Paul wanted the congregation of the church at Corinth to understand that true love is not self-seeking but always takes the consideration of others into its account of being.
This is a promise of what love is not.
To be puffed up, proud, or arrogant in relation to love would be the person that goes around telling others about how great their own love is without having a focus of lifting others up through their love. This type of attitude would be condescending and self-centered; an attitude that is not representative of love but of lust which is the devil’s mirror of love. Satan cannot love – he can only lust, which is a false representation of love and is deceit. Jesus declares in John 8:44 to the Pharisees, who were self-centered, proud, and arrogant, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of our father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
Don’t allow the devil to trick you with his mirrored version of love which is nothing more than a lie and false lust of the truth that is true love in Christ Jesus. Open your heart to Jesus today and begin a true life of love as God intended for us all to have as we seek His guidance in our lives.
Dear LORD,
The devil has a way of using our own excitement against us as we can sometimes be received in the eyes of others as puffed up, proud, arrogant, or condescending as we try to communicate Your love for us to others. Please help us to be aware of the trickery of the devil and to always strive to communicate to others in a way that shows a caring heart that is reflective of our Savior Jesus. Please help us to not look down on others that need a helping hand in life, but that we would extend our hands to help them up as you work through our lives to exalt them – in Christ! In Jesus name I pray, amen.