SCRIPTURE
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
September 15
There are many different ways to express love. You can buy a present, say, “I love you” out loud, give a compliment, be romantic and tender physically, abide by your loved one’s wishes, and spend time in focused attention. That’s just the beginning of the list…. The Greeks had… affection (storge), love between friends (philos), erotic love (eros), and service (agape)…. All forms of love are necessary, and none are to be ignored, but all of us find some forms of love to be more emotionally valuable to us. (Hardcover, p. 153; paperback, p. 170) Pot)
LOVE LANGUAGES TWO: Let’s look at the first of the four broad categories of love languages. “Affection” includes what has often been called edifying or blessing the other. To do this means, on the one hand, eliminating many practices that undermine your spouse. Do you use cutting humor? Do you use sarcasm and belittling words when making points? Do you criticize him or her in front of others? Are you far less courteous in little things toward your spouse than you are toward a guest in your home? Do you brighten up for others and engage, but shuffle around in an emotionally unresponsive, distracted way when you are home with just your partner? This is a list of dissaffecting behaviors and attitudes. Eliminate them.
Reflection: Evaluate yourself and each other according to the list above.
Thought for prayer: Unaffectionate behavior comes from a
heart hardened with self-pity and resentment. Ask God for a heart softened so you are neither sharp-tongued nor emotionally distant in your daily dealings with your spouse.
Reference: The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy and Kathy Keller.