TEXT: I Corinthians 13:5C

SUBJECT: What Love is #8: Thinks No Evil

The words can't be understood in an absolute way, as though "love" makes one naive or unable to pass moral judgments. How do I know this? Because the next words say so: The love that "thinks no evil" also "Does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth". Love is discerning.

The passage is better understood like this: "Love is not eager to find fault". It doesn't nitpick; it's not suspicious; it takes no pleasure in exposing the faults of other people.

This critical spirit differs from person to person. Allow me to me offer a few examples. They're examples we're not to follow.

In some, it's an eagerness to judge the souls of other people. They are quick to find every hypocrisy, but slow to recognize any mark of grace. If one's doctrine is wrong at some point, he's not mistaken; he's a heretic. If his life could use some improvement, it's not "remaining sin"; it's apostasy. That person "thinks evil".

In some, it is an eagerness to judge the qualities of other people. If they're merciful--they're spineless. If they're just--they're harsh. If they're disciplined--they're legalistic. If they're moderate--they're wishy-washy. If they're zealous--they're fanatical. If they're smart--they're egg-headed. If they're dumb--they're lazy. The list goes on to infinity. And maybe farther! That person "thinks evil".

In some, it's an eagerness to judge the deeds and words of other people. If someone does you wrong, it's because he meant to! And now, he's taking pleasure in your pain. That he might have hurt you inadvertently--or as a result of weakness, not of spite--never crosses your mind. That person "thinks evil".

In some, it is an eagerness to find evil motives behind good deeds. If you do them a favor, they wonder what you're up to. If you live an exemplary life, they just know you're a hypocrite. I once talked to a woman who was this way. She told me that I shouldn't trust any child's profession of faith. I countered with a boy whose life was beyond reproach. She couldn't get him on anything he did--or left undone. And so she "proved" her case by saying, "Well, he likes to please adults". Like our Savior, she "Knew what was in a man". That's what she thought, at least. I suspect something else; she "thinks evil".

This is what it means to "think evil". It's an eagerness to find fault with others. Are you this way? God help you if you are, for "with what judgment you judge, you will be judged", Matthew 7:2. God help all of us if you are. Because if you're looking for faults, it won't take long to find them. In droves! "For in many things we offend all", James 3:2. "There is not a just man upon the earth who does good and sins not", Ecclesiastes 7:2.

The Lord wants you to know: If you're "thinking evil", you're not living in brotherly love, for "love...thinks no evil".

Is it really that bad to "think evil"?

Is thinking evil of others really that bad? Or am I exaggerating for effect? I wish I were; but I'm not. Thinking evil of others is a very great sin. Here's why:

Its ultimate source. Who was the first to "think evil" of others? It was the devil, who's called "The accuser of the brethren". You'd think the prosecutor of God's people would be God Himself--after all, He's the offended party. But it's not He who "accuses"; it's Satan. He did it to Job, didn't he? He first said no one in the world "feared God and shunned evil". When Job was pointed out as an exception, Satan said he did it for personal gain. When he wiped out Job's wealth without breaking his spirit, he added: "Skin for skin, a man will give anything for his life". The "Evil thinkers" often they're doing God a favor; in fact, doing Satan's work. And that is bad.

Its human cause. Why do people take such pleasure in finding fault in others? Because they're proud. Who was more critical than the Pharisees? They nitpicked everyone--including the Son of God! What kind of men were they? Humble servants of God, trying to maintain His standards? No. They were men of enormous pride--so proud that "publicans and harlots got into the Kingdom before" they did.

Its inevitable result. What will fault-finding produce? James 3:16 leaves little doubt: "For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there". This evil spirit is contrasted with "the wisdom from above" which is "pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits..."

If you think Satan, pride, and confusion are bad things, you must agree: So is "thinking evil".

Is it possible to "think no evil" without becoming hopelessly naive? We all know people who are positive to a fault! We don't want to be that way, but can we have warm hearts without having empty heads?

We can. Paul was such a man. He had a rare insight into human nature. At times, he roundly condemned people--"Alexander the coppersmith", for example.

But he wasn't eager to think ill of others. II Timothy 4:16 is a good example: "At my first defense, no man stood with me, but all forsook me; I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge".

His "first defense" was before Nero--one of the worst men to wear the Imperial Crown. Paul had done many people good; many owed their souls to him. Yet when he needed them most, they were nowhere to be found. Why didn't they step forward and vouch for his character? Why didn't they rebut the charges leveled against him?

An uncharitable man would have said: "Because they were traitors!" Paul, though, knew better. He knew they weren't bad; they were weak. His friends were scared, and their feared made them disappoint a man they truly loved.

Paul felt no bitterness toward them, but pity. And so, it is possible to be both loving and discerning. And more than possible: It is our duty to be both!

How can we "think no evil"?

If you would be less critical of others, be more critical of yourself. A speck in someone's eye doesn't look nearly as big if you just pulled a plank out of your own eye! When correcting others, Paul urges us to "consider ourselves, lest we also be tempted". If we did that, we'd be "Swifter to hear, slower to speak, and slower to wrath".

Think of how ineffective carping is. When you're always on people, they tune you out. It's a defense mechanism we all have. This is why "a soft answer breaks the bone". If you're rarely critical, people will listen to you.

Think of how you want to be treated by others. Do you want people thinking the worst of you? If not, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".

Think on the example of Jesus Christ, our Lord. How He might have corrected every little thing the Apostles did wrong. But did He? He spoke sharply to them at times--and rightly so. But it wasn't His way. His reproofs stand out because they're so rare. He was gentle with His people. And still is. If we thought more often on His way, we'd be gentler too. We would have that love which "covers a multitude of sins". God give it to us, for Christ's sake. Amen.