On our continual journey of learning to love ourselves more deeply, we have focused on several different aspects of 1 Corinthians 13. This week we are going to focus on not delighting in evil. What exactly does it mean to “Delight in Evil?”
Love, in its purest form, is pure. It is true and just. I am aware, most of the time, when I have done something wrong in my life, something sinful. There have been many times that I was ashamed of things in my life. As you know from my previous articles, I have always felt the need to “keep up” a certain appearance to others around me. Anytime something was going wrong in my life, I would totally sweep it under the rug. No one could know that I was struggling. I would cry in the shower so no one would be the wiser.
I would do anything in my power to cover up any sin in my life. By covering up all my problems, I would begin to justify the wrongdoing to myself in order to cope with the guilt. True love does not try to find ways to get away with bad behavior. My biggest problem was that I felt I could do it all on my own, which is the furthest thing from the truth. I would retreat inside myself and my feelings. I would turn to food in order to soothe my soul.
You may not think trying to cover up sin or seeking justification for wrongdoing is delighting in evil, but it is definitely not seeking the truth. True Godly love treasures the truth. True Godly love has nothing to hide. So, any time you are harboring a sin in your life, you are seeking comfort, delight, in that evil.
Also, anytime you have pleasure in seeing someone else struggle with their sin, you are delighting in evil. You are gaining joy from someone else’s suffering. We all have smiled when we see the bully get what was coming to him but is that true Godly love. True love rejoices in the happiness of others not in their troubles.
The next time you are doing your best to keep up a certain appearance and trying to keep others from knowing the sins in your life, remember you are delighting in that evil. Don’t start justifying your sins by delighting in the evils in your life. Take joy in truth. Remember that true love has nothing to hide.
“Fall in love with taking care of yourself. Fall in love with the path of deep healing. Fall in love with becoming the best version of yourself but with patience, with compassion, and respect to your own journey.” S. McNutt
“You know where I go and where I lie down. You know everything I do. Lord, even before I say a word, you already know it. You are all around me – in front and in back – and have put your hand on me. Your knowledge is amazing to me; it is more than I can understand. Where can I go to get away from your Spirit? Where can I run from you?” Psalm 139:3-7
April 19, 2024
