Title: Love Thinketh No Evil Text: I Corinthians 13:5
Introduction: Read I Corinthians 13:1-8a – Saying, “I don’t get mad I just get even”
I. The meaning of “thinketh no evil”:
Three possible meanings according to Charles Hodge:
1) “It does not plan evil
2) It does not impute evil – i.e. attribute evil motives to others, or is not suspicious.”
3) It does not lay the evil which it suffers to the charge of the wrong-doer. Instead of being resentful, it is forgiving.” (Hodge pg. 270). Greek supports this interpretation.
Thinketh – logizetai – an accounting term – “to credit someone’s account, ‘doeth not regregister the evil.’ Love stores up no resentment and bears no malice.” (Rienecker & Rodgers, pg. 432).
“taketh not account of evil” G. C. Morgan “love does not keep a ledger in which to enter up wrongs to be dealt with some day later on . . . love does not enter them up, does not book them . . .” (pg. 165).
Common speech – “Love does not store up the memory of any wrong it has received”
Illustrate: Polynesian custom – “The natives spend much of their time in fighting and feasting, it is customary for each man to keep some reminders of his hatred, articles are suspended from the roofs of their huts to keep alive the memory of their wrongs – real or imaginary.” (Barclay pg.122).
II. Bible examples of people who did not hold someone’s evil to their account:
A. Joseph – Genesis 50:15-20 “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive” (vs.20).
B. Shimei asked David not to hold his sin against him – II Samuel 19-19 -cf. I Kings 2:8-9, 36-46
C. Jesus – Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
D. Steven – Acts 7:60 “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
III. Consequences of treasuring up the wrongs of others:
You will not put away “bitterness, wrath, anger, and clamour” – Ephesians 4:31
IV. Breaking the habit of treasuring up the wrongs that you feel others have committed against you: Proverbs 10:12 –
Learn to
A. Forgive – Ephesians 4:32 – cf. Mark 11:25 “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
B. Confront – Luke 17:3-4 “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”
Conclusion: Do you have a list of wrongs tallied in your mind against someone? If so give it to the Lord and be willing to confront and forgive if you have truly been wronged.
Magnify! 