Binding Hearts Blog

Binding Hearts Marriage and Family Ministries

Monday Marriage Minder

August 11, 2008

Love Is... Part Five (5)

It (Love) is not proud, 1 Corinthians 13:4e NIV

He stood in between the cars in the hot garage. His fists were still clenched and the ache in his jaw reminded him to relax the tension in his face. "How long have I been pacing in here?" "Why am I so angry?" Good questions! What this little tale did not include was that this little tirade followed a heated discussion the man had with his spouse. What he chose to be angry about was the fact that his wife was right, he was wrong and he didn't like it.

The original word used for proud in this verse literally means to inflate. The Message paraphrase reads, "Doesn't have a swelled head," Have you ever inflated a balloon without tying it and simply let it go? What happened? In the human experience it probably looks something like the man who was fuming in his garage. His wife deflated his "balloon" and off he went.

Too often, we find ourselves wanting to be right at all costs. For some, pride simply will not allow them to "be wrong". The above scripture says that pride is not a characteristic of love. If we claim to love our spouse, how then can we demand to be right, even when we are. I've been guilty of correcting Robin if she says something wrong. Is that me just wanting to prove that I'm right, better, smarter or wiser? Am I? NO!!! That's pride and it works it's way into every person and relationship.

Question of the Week: How has your pride hurt your marriage? Pray about it, ask God to search your heart and reveal any pride that is hurting your relationship with your spouse.

For Marriages & Families,

Dave