“Love is not rude.  Love does not demand its own way.  Love is not irritable, and loves keeps no record of when it has been wronged.”  1 Cor. 13:5 (NLT)

4 MARKS OF REAL LOVE

         Love is not rude.  so…

1.     I must be tactful, not just truthful

        “Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.”  Prov. 18:13 (MSG)

        “Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others.  Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude.  Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.”  Eph. 4:31-32 (CEV)

        “A wise, mature person is known for his understanding.  The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is.”  Prov. 16:21 (TEV)

        LOVE DOES NOT DEMAND ITS OWN WAY.  So…

2.     I must be understanding, not demanding

        “Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had.  Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God.  He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form.” Phil. 2:5-7 (NLT)

        “Believers shouldn't curse anyone or be quarrelsome, but they should be gentle and show courtesy to everyone.”  Titus 3:2 (GW)

        "Do to others as you would have them do to you.”      Luke 6:31 (NIV)

        LOVE IS NOT IRRITABLE.  So...

3.    I must be gentle not judgmental

        “Brothers and sisters, if someone in your group does something wrong, you who are spiritual should go to that person and gently help make him right again.But be careful, because you might be tempted to sin, too.” Gal. 6:1 NCV

        “Each of us will give an account of himself to God.  Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on each other.”  Rom. 14:12-13 (NIV)

        “Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”  Prov. 15:4 (NLT)

“If your boss is angry with you, don't quit!  A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes.”  Eccl. 10:4 (NLT)

        LOVE KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS.  So …

4.    You don’t repeat it, you delete it

        “Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop, leave it, and let it go, in order that your Father who is in heaven may also forgive you your own failings and shortcomings and let them drop.”  Mark 11:25 (Amp)

        “Hate stirs up trouble, but love forgives all offenses.”  Prov. 10:12 (TEV)

        “When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it.”  Prov. 19:11 (TEV)

        “You are only hurting yourself with your anger.”  Job 18:4 (TEV)