Love’s Behavior– Not Unseemly!

Text: I Corinthians 13:5

Introduction:  In understanding a concept, idea, or truth it is often helpful to understand what it is not!   In Scripture’s description of love it tells us clearly what love is not.  We have already studied that love does not envy and is not proud. Let’s now consider that love is not unseemly in behavior.  What is unseemly behavior

I.             Unseemly behavior’s definition:

 Three synonyms help us to understand unseemly behavior:

1. Unfit—improper or unsuitable
2. Unbecoming—unsuitable or improper for the person or one’s character
3. Indecent—unfit to be seen or heard

Summary:  “To behave indecently or in a shameful manner” is unseemly behavior.

Positively—the opposite of unseemly behavior would be appropriate and fitting behavior.

“Love is tactful and does nothing that would raise a blush.”

A more general word for behavior that can be good or bad is most often translated in the KJV as “Conversation”, which refers to one’s deportment or character and by implication means our manner or way of living life.

How do we learn what behavior is appropriate and what behavior is unseemly?  We must learn!

From an early age parent begin to teach their children what is proper and improper behavior.  For most of us this is a life long process. A disciplined child learns for a young age that inappropriate behavior smarts. Illustrate: Like when I was a young, foolish boy and took a swing at a passing car with the broom. My mom took the broom and swatted me with it.  Today, some would call that abuse; I call it loving correction. I am also thankful for a teacher who corrected my unkind words by saying, “Mark, what would your mother think?”  I knew she would think that my behavior was not fitting but improper.

II.          Unseemly behavior’s consequences:

The word’s only other occurrence in the Bible certainly refers to shameful behavior and sheds light on the consequences of unseemly behavior – Romans 1:27

 III.       Unseemly behavior’s examples—
                                           the Bible is full of them!  One OT and NT example:

A.  David’s indecent sin with Bathsheba and further sins to cover his tracks – 2 Samuel 11 & 12

What happens in our hearts before we engage in unseemly behavior?

2 Samuel 12:9 “Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD . . .”

1. Cause:  He despised God’s Word – I don’t care attitude! I want what I want  . . .

2. Consequence: He received chastening determined by God

3. Cure:  He repented—“I have sinned against the LORD! (vs.13)

B.   John Mark’s inappropriate departure from a commitment to help on a missions trip:

See: Acts 12:12, 12:25, 15:37-40, Colossians 4:10, 2 Timothy 4:11, I Peter 5:13

 IV.        Unseemly behavior’s deliverance:

Receive correction:  Proverbs 23:13, 22:15, 15:10, 3:11  with 2 Timothy 3:16

Conclusion: Illustration—Husband’s testimony, in a moment of honesty, that after years of marriage they still correct each other in love.  We are never too old to learn from a rebuke when we are behaving in an unbecoming or unseemly way.  Agree with God about your sin, stop justifying yourself, repent, change by the grace of God and become a loving and caring person for the glory of God!