1 Corinthians 13:5, Charity Thinketh No Evil (2)

1 Corinthians 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.

There is indeed course to take stock to the responses of our heart whenever we would want to retaliate with evil. We need to acknowledge that it is wrong and need to repent and have a renewed faith and obedience by the power of God’s grace to trust God to work things out without taking vengeance into our own hands. Remember Joseph’s life in the book of Genesis that accounts for us how Joseph was treated unfairly, falsely accused, misjudged for the most part of his youth and adult life. He did not exact vengeance upon his brothers but decided to forgive the evil that they have done to him and not make them pay for the unkind deeds done to him that wreaked his youth. Remember what he said in Genesis 50:20 “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save

Remember Joseph’s life in the book of Genesis that accounts for us how Joseph was treated unfairly, falsely accused, misjudged for the most part of his youth and adult life. He did not exact vengeance upon his brothers but decided to forgive the evil that they have done to him and not make them pay for the unkind deeds done to him that wreaked his youth. Remember what he said in Genesis 50:20 “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive.” Joseph trusted God to work out things for his good and indeed God did. He experienced the faithfulness of God in healing the many heart aches that he suffered at the hands of his jealous brothers who sold him into Egypt.

And there is the account of David in 1 Samuel 25 who decided to take matters into his own hands to deal harshly with Nabal who refused to adequately compensate his men for the good that they have done to care for Nabal’s flock. Abigail, Nabal’s wife, intervened to stop David from committing folly in seeking vengeance to kill Nabal and his men. David hearkened to the counsel of Abigail to let God be the judge. God smote Nabal and he died. It was in the will of God that Nabal is judged. Although David and his men suffered, they did restrain themselves from doing evil. God vindicated them at the end.

Charity bears no grudges but is forgiving and generous in heart. May the Lord help us to bear this spiritual fruit! Amen.