Love - Lesson 6: Love Lived Out (4) – Does Not Brag, Is Not Proud

Love

Lesson 6: Love Lived Out (4) – Does Not Brag, Is Not Proud

1 Corinthians 13:4c Love doesn’t brag, is not proud,

Proverbs 13:10a Pride only breeds quarrels

BRAG, v.i.

To boast; to display one's actions, merits or advantages ostentatiously; to tell boastful stories; followed by of; as, to brag of a good horse, or of a feat.

To brag on is vulgar; indeed the word itself is become low, and is not to be used in elegant composition.

“brag.” Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2015. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/brag (31 August 2015).

PROUD, a.

1. Having inordinate self-esteem; possessing a high or unreasonable conceit of one's own excellence, either of body or mind. A man may be proud of his person, of his talents,of his accomplishments or of his achievements. He may be proud of any thing to which he bears some relation. He may be proud of his country, his government, his equipage, or of whatever may, by association, gratify his esteem of himself. He may even be proud of his religion or of his church. He conceives that any thing excellent or valuable, in which he has a share, or to which he stands related, contributes to his own importance, and this conception exalts his opinion of himself. Proud is followed by of, before the object, supra.

2. Arrogant; haughty; supercilious.

A foe so proud will not the weaker seek.

3. Daring; presumptuous.

By his understanding he smiteth through the proud. Job.26.

“proud.” Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2015. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/proud (31 August 2015).

PRIDE, n.

1. Inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others.

Martial pride looks down on industry.

Pride goeth before destruction. Prov.16.

Pride that dines on vanity, sups on contempt.

All pride is abject and mean.

Those that walk in pride he is able to abase. Dan.4.

2. Insolence; rude treatment of others; insolent exultation.

That hardly we escap'd the pride of France.

“pride.” Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2015. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/pride (31 August 2015).

The Main Points for This Lesson:

This series of lessons will center around love as seen in chapter 13 of the apostle Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians. The purpose of these lessons is to teach about love: love's importance; what love looks like lived out, including what it is and what it isn't, and what it does and what it doesn't do; love's greatness.

As the apostle Paul continues in his description of love, he tells us that love does not brag, and love is not proud. While certain feelings and emotions may result from love (or may not), once again we are reminded that love is first and foremost something that is lived out in our lives through our choices, actions and attitudes.

Love does not brag. Bragging is boasting about ourselves. Most often, in boasting of our own greatness, we are also, in some form or another, proclaiming the worthlessness of others. Love does not do this. We brag about many things. We may brag about our possessions, or position or power, or we may brag about our connection to someone else we consider great. Many times, we may boast over others, saying that I am better than you for this reason or that. Some even brag or boast about themselves as being equal to or greater than God. Such may say, they do not fear God. All of this bragging and boasting is far from love. Love does not brag.

Love is not proud. Pride is thinking more highly of ourselves than is right and true. Bragging and pride are related. Bragging may be one way that pride shows itself. However, not everyone who is proud brags. While bragging is seen in our words most clearly, pride is found in our heart and mind. Love is not proud. The one who loves does not think more highly of himself than is right and true. Pride builds itself on a lie. Love knows that the truth sets us free. It sets free the one who loves, and sets free those who are loved. Love is not proud.

Love does not brag and is not proud. Let us hide this word in our heart, that perhaps God may write this law of love in our heart and mind. May we learn to judge ourselves rightly, to judge our love for others rightly, based on God's word to us.

Suggestions:

To open the lesson, pray for the teacher and the students.

Let the children know that we are having some lessons on 1 Corinthians 13, about love. While 1 Corinthians 13 is not the only place God teaches us about love, it provides a very helpful, practical, and (perhaps) easily understood description of love.

In this lesson, we will learn about what love looks like lived out in our lives.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:4c. “Love doesn’t brag, is not proud,” is the focus of this lesson. Give a simple explanation of what it means to brag and what pride is. To brag is to boast about our own greatness due to something. Pride is thinking more highly of ourselves that is right and true.

Ask the children if they understand the difference between bragging and pride. To brag we have to open our mouth. Pride can be in our heart and mind without ever opening our mouth.

Ask the children if they have every bragged or been proud. Don't spend long with this.

Read the story of 2 Kings 19:8-37 about the boasting of King Sennacherib and his servants. This story also shows King Hezekiah not boasting or bragging in return. Instead, he casts all his cares and worries upon the Lord.

Read the story of the three friends in Daniel 3:13-18,27-30. Focus on the boasting of the king and on the three friends not boasting or bragging. What was the result of boasting? What was the result of their not boasting?

Again ask the children if they have ever bragged about being great or better than someone else? Have they ever thought this even if they did not say it? (There is a difference between a passing thought, and a thought that we keep and treasure in our hearts.)

To close the lesson, pray with the children (perhaps that we could learn to put of bragging and pride, and put on love and humility) and have all the children read the Lord's prayer together.

Stories:

2 Kings 19:8-37 (see also 2 Kings 18:17ff)

The boasting of the the king of Assyria through his servants. King Hezekiah does not boast or threaten back, but takes all this before the Lord. The Lord takes care of the situation.

Daniel 3:13-18,27-30 [13] Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. [14] Nebuchadnezzar answered them, Is it on purpose, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you don’t serve my god, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? [15] Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, good: but if you don’t worship, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands? [16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. [17] If it happens, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. [18] But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up. [27] The satraps, the deputies, and the governors, and the king’s counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, that the fire had no power on their bodies, nor was the hair of their head singed, neither were their pants changed, nor had the smell of fire passed on them. [28] Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel, and delivered his servants who trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. [29] Therefore I make a decree, that every people, nation, and language, which speak anything evil against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill; because there is no other god who is able to deliver after this sort. [30] Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

King Nebuchadnezzar is proud and also boasts, “and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands?” The three friends do not boast or rage in return. They answer patiently and calmly, fully trusting in and obedient to the Lord their God. I think this response of the three friends to the king affected how the king responded to the miraculous deliverance of the three friends. It is possible (and perhaps likely) that if they had responded in pride with boasting, the king's heart would have been hardened and so unwilling to humble himself at the sight of this miraculous deliverance. On the other hand, their humble and loving (in that they did not boast and were not proud) response played its part in softening the king's heart, so that in the end he humbled himself before the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

More Stories and Examples:

1 Samuel 17:1-51 [8] He stood and cried to the armies of Israel, and said to them, “Why have you come out to set your battle in array? Am I not a Philistine, and you servants to Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. [9] If he be able to fight with me, and kill me, then will we be your servants; but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then you will be our servants, and serve us.” [10] The Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day! Give me a man, that we may fight together!” [40] He took his staff in his hand, and chose for himself five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, even in his wallet. His sling was in his hand; and he drew near to the Philistine. [41] The Philistine came on and drew near to David; and the man who bore the shield went before him. [42] When the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and withal of a fair face. [43] The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” The Philistine cursed David by his gods. [44] The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky, and to the animals of the field.” [45] Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin: but I come to you in the name of Yahweh of Armies, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. [48] When the Philistine arose, and came and drew near to meet David, David hurried, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. [49] David put his hand in his bag, took a stone, and slung it, and struck the Philistine in his forehead; and the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. [50] So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine, and killed him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. [51] Then David ran, and stood over the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of its sheath, and killed him, and cut off his head therewith. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

1 Kings 20:1-21 [10] Ben Hadad sent to him, and said, “The gods do so to me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people who follow me.” [11] The king of Israel answered, “Tell him, ‘Don’t let him who puts on his armor brag like he who takes it off.’”

Acts 16:22-34

Paul and Silas were beaten and put in prison. God sends an earthquake. When the jailer seemed powerless and without hope, they did not boast over the jailer, who was now in their power. In love they helped him. Through that love, the jailer was set free, and became a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Other Verses:

Psalm 49:6-9 [6] Those who trust in their wealth, and boast in the multitude of their riches— [7] none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give God a ransom for him. [8] For the redemption of their life is costly, no payment is ever enough, [9] That he should live on forever, that he should not see corruption.

Psalm 52:1 Why do you boast of mischief, mighty man? God’s loving kindness endures continually.

Psalm 94:4 They pour out arrogant words. All the evildoers boast.

Proverbs 13:10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but with ones who take advice is wisdom.

Proverbs 27:1 Don’t boast about tomorrow; for you don’t know what a day may bring.

Isaiah 10:12-15 [12] Therefore it will happen that, when the Lord has performed his whole work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the willful proud heart of the king of Assyria, and the insolence of his haughty looks. [13] For he has said, “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I have understanding: and I have removed the boundaries of the peoples, and have robbed their treasures. Like a valiant man I have brought down their rulers. [14] My hand has found the riches of the peoples like a nest, and like one gathers eggs that are abandoned, have I gathered all the earth. There was no one who moved their wing, or that opened their mouth, or chirped.” [15] Should an ax brag against him who chops with it? Should a saw exalt itself above him who saws with it? As if a rod should lift those who lift it up, or as if a staff should lift up someone who is not wood.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 [23] Thus says Yahweh, Don’t let the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, don’t let the rich man glory in his riches; [24] but let him who glories glory in this, that he has understanding, and knows me, that I am Yahweh who exercises loving kindness, justice, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, says Yahweh.

Romans 1:28-32 [28] Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; [29] being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers, [30] backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, [31] without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; [32] who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 11:17-22 [17] But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them, and became partaker with them of the root and of the richness of the olive tree; [18] don’t boast over the branches. But if you boast, it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you. [19] You will say then, “Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.” [20] True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don’t be conceited, but fear; [21] for if God didn’t spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. [22] See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off.

1 Corinthians 4:6-7 [6] Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to think beyond the things which are written, that none of you be puffed up against one another. [7] For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn’t receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

1 Corinthians 4:18-21,5:1-2 [4:18] Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. [19] But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing. And I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. [20] For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. [21] What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness? [5:1] It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles, that one has his father’s wife. [2] You are puffed up, and didn’t rather mourn, that he who had done this deed might be removed from among you.

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 [1] Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. [2] But if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he doesn’t yet know as he ought to know. [3] But if anyone loves God, the same is known by him. [4] Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no other God but one. [5] For though there are things that are called “gods”, whether in the heavens or on earth; as there are many “gods” and many “lords”; [6] yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him. [7] However, that knowledge isn’t in all men. But some, with consciousness of the idol until now, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. [8] But food will not commend us to God. For neither, if we don’t eat, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better. [9] But be careful that by no means does this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to the weak. [10] For if a man sees you who have knowledge sitting in an idol’s temple, won’t his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols? [11] And through your knowledge, he who is weak perishes, the brother for whose sake Christ died. [12] Thus, sinning against the brothers, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. [13] Therefore if food causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no meat forever more, that I don’t cause my brother to stumble.

Philippians 2:1-11 [1] If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, [2] make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; [3] doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; [4] each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. [5] Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. [9] Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, [11] and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Colossians 2:18-19 [18] Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshiping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, [19] and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God’s growth.

James 3:5-6 [5] So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! [6] And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.

James 4:13-17 [13] Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow let’s go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit.” [14] Whereas you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. [15] For you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.” [16] But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil. [17] To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.