As we continue talking about 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, let’s open our laptops and figuratively click
on some social media. Mamas, this will be mainly focused towards us, but tune in dads, this
may give you an inside look into your spouse’s online world. Let’s cover “love is not…” on these
apps checklist style:
Love does not envy. There is no place for “I wish I had her home, her hair, her child’s
perfect grades, her husband, her Christmas pictures, her (fill in the blank).
Love does not boast. There is no point in self-focused posts: “I always look this great in
the morning (after 2 hours of primping). My kids never throw up in class.” Posting a
fairy tale is just that and it doesn’t fool anyone.
Love is not proud (arrogant). It doesn’t think more highly of oneself as a parent than the
mother whose child is flailing on the floor in a video online. All children flail in some
way, at some point… including yours.
Love does not dishonor others including complaining about our children’s behavior.
What is posted never gets fully deleted. Your children will likely read whatever you
have written about them.
Love is not self-seeking. It is focusing more on post designed for encouraging others
than on “likes” for a selfie or a picture of your perfect child.
£ Love is not easily angered. Love takes a moment to breathe when you find out your
child has watched a YouTube video with cursing in it. Use what he watches to teach him
and help him filter what he sees and hears.
Love keeps no record of wrongs. We don’t have to list all the things our children have
done wrong to remind them to obey and listen. Posting about wrong choices our
children make is keeping a record of wrongs because it never goes away. We especially
don’t need to use one child’s good choices to shame the other child when wrong
choices are made. Comparing children is favoritism and that has no place in parenting
or God’s kingdom.
Love doesn’t delight in evil. Watch what you and your children take in from online and
media sources. How many fictious deaths have you watched this year in comparison to
restored relationships and healthy parenting shows?
Love rejoices with the truth. It doesn’t punish for truth-speaking but rewards it and
rejoices in good choices. When you see your children post something true online…
throw some “likes” their way and share it with others to honor them.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-
seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but
rejoices with the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:4b-6
Which of the “Love does not” challenges sticks out to you in your current parenting season?