Read 1 Corinthians 13:4b-5 NLT
Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
“… or rude.”
Many years ago I found myself in a phone conversation at work with a very unhappy person. They were in the process of buying a new home and there was confusion on the requirements needed to verify a few different things and in their opinion the blame for the confusion fell on me. As I tried to talk with them and calmly work through the situation it became apparent that nothing I said would resolve the situation and they angrily asked if everyone who worked at our company was incompetent…or was it just me. Rude.
I am sure we all have experienced some rudeness at some point in our lives. You probably felt the sting of those impolite, bad-mannered, startling and harsh words just as I did that day, long after the words were spoken. The NIV translation of this verse uses the phrase “does not dishonor others” where the word “rude” is used in the NLT. I like the way this is phrased because it helps me to understand what rudeness produces…It isn’t just mean or thoughtless words that have no consequence, rudeness actually dishonors the other person. But as followers of Jesus we are called to something different. We are called to love and in doing so, we honor others. In fact there are other verses in the Bible that say we are to actually honor others MORE than ourselves! (Romans 12:10, Philippians 2:3-4)
If I am honest – there have been times when my words have been harsh and cutting – and totally uncalled for – R. U. D. E. Rude! I don’t get a pass on this one just because someone has been rude to me. I am still called to live differently. To live in love and to show that love by honoring people with the words I choose to use.
Spend some time today asking God to help you evaluate how you have honored…or maybe dishonored others with your words and then ask Him to help you walk a little closer to Him and to choose to honor others more often.
