LOVE || PART 6 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 1 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV) Love is/does NOT... 1. Insist on it's way The NIV says: Love … is not self-seeking. Many situations in life call upon Christians to choose between benefit to themselves and to others. The loving person puts the benefit of others over his or her own good. It is also important to realize that this practice does not mean ignoring one’s own legitimate needs. Jesus himself withdrew from the crowds for his own benefit, sometimes just to get away and other times to pray. As long as it is my way or the highway, you are not showing the love of God to others. 2. Irritable The NIV says: Love … is not easily angered. Those who love others do not normally become irritated and angry whenever others do wrong, but rather are slow to anger. They are patient. Still, there are times when anger is appropriate. Paul himself became angry when he saw the idols of Athens. Luke described him with the same word Paul used here (paroxunomai). Even Jesus became angry when he saw people’s hardness of heart and the money changers in the temple. Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. Proverbs 16:20 Many times we get angry at things and we do not even understand the whole situation.  Be quick to understand, not quick to anger. 3. Resentful Love is not “resentful.” In the Greek it “does not count the evil.” Love does not strive to get even with others.  In the NIV: Love … keeps no record of wrongs. People who love others do not keep meticulous records of offenses. They offer forgiveness time and again. Both Jesus and Stephen demonstrated this type of love by forgiving the people who put them to death. Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple. Job 5:2 Being historical in a relationship can be the death of a relationship. If we are not careful we will allow resentment to build up so much in our heart that we will have joy in nothing. What does this mean for us? Do you need to be more willing to put the needs of others before your own? Do you need to lengthen your fuse? Do you need to forgive someone?