Thursday: Truth and Protection in Love

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Anchor Verse:

1 Corinthians 13:6-7 (NKJV) “[Love] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

In a Nutshell:

Pastor Shantel explained that God’s agape love celebrates truth and righteousness while offering complete protection, trust, hope, and perseverance in relationships.

Unpacking the Word:

There’s a profound connection between love and truth that we often overlook. Our culture sometimes portrays love as accepting or celebrating whatever makes someone happy, but biblical love has a much deeper commitment to what is true and right. This aspect of love reveals its moral foundation and protective nature.

Love “does not rejoice in iniquity.” The word translated as “iniquity” refers to unrighteousness or injustice. Genuine love cannot celebrate what harms others or dishonors God. This doesn’t mean love is judgmental, but rather that it desires what is truly best for the beloved – and sin never leads to flourishing. In the Corinthian church, some were celebrating behaviors that were harmful to the community. True love couldn’t rejoice in those actions because they damaged relationships and dishonored God.

Instead, love “rejoices in the truth.” This isn’t just about factual accuracy, but about aligning with reality as God created it to be. When we truly love someone, we celebrate when they embrace what is good, right, and true – when they live in harmony with God’s design. This is why love sometimes requires gentle correction; it wants the best for the other person.

Love “bears all things.” The Greek word here can also mean “to protect” or “to cover.” Love creates a safe space where vulnerability is protected, not exploited. It preserves dignity rather than exposing weaknesses. This quality builds trust in relationships – people know you won’t use their failures against them.

Love “believes all things” doesn’t mean being gullible, but rather choosing to believe the best about others when possible. It gives the benefit of the doubt rather than assuming the worst. This quality builds bridges rather than walls in relationships.

Love “hopes all things” maintains optimism about growth and change. It doesn’t give up on people but continues to hope for their best. This perspective keeps relationships future-oriented rather than stuck in past failures.

Finally, love “endures all things” – it perseveres through difficulties rather than abandoning ship when challenges arise. This steadfastness reflects God’s faithful love toward us; He never gives up on us, even when we fail.

Together, these qualities create relationships that are grounded in truth while offering grace, protection, and perseverance through life’s challenges.

Pause and Reflect:

1. Where might you be “rejoicing in iniquity” – finding pleasure in things that actually harm relationships or dishonor God?
2. In which relationships do you struggle to believe the best about the other person, and why?
3. What hope for growth or change have you given up on that love would call you to maintain?

Faith in Action:

1. Identify one area where you need to align your concept of love more closely with truth. This might mean offering gentle correction or stopping your participation in something that doesn’t honor God.
2. Practice “bearing all things” by being a safe place for someone to share their struggles. Listen without judgment and protect their dignity.
3. Write down a specific hope you have for growth in an important relationship, then pray for that hope daily for the next week.

A Moment With God:

Lord, align my understanding of love with Your truth. Show me where I’ve confused love with mere acceptance of whatever feels good. Help me to rejoice in what is right while protecting, believing in, hoping for, and enduring with the people You’ve placed in my life.

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We encourage you to use the comments to share your most significant takeaway from this week’s devotionals, how you’ve been challenged, and what God is revealing to you about your spiritual journey.

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