Love Is Not Rude

I enjoy political debate, but I rarely watch political forums on television. Most of them make my blood boil. Why? Because instead of rational discussion, most of them feature people interrupting each other, shouting each other down, and using manners that wouldn’t be tolerated in a kindergarten classroom.

Sometimes I think common courtesy has gone the way of the dinosaur. It seems as though folks are increasingly rude and insensitive to one another. You can hardly go to a restaurant, a grocery store, or a little league ball game without seeing or hearing people treat each other with disrespect.

The apostle Paul says that love “does not behave rudely” (1 Corinthians 13:5). Love, because it cares about others, is concerned with common courtesy and respectable behavior. It doesn’t “put on airs,” but it does try never to be inconsiderate or offensive.

Rudeness in effect says, “I don’t love you because I don’t care how my conduct affects you.” It comes in many forms: crude comments or actions that embarrass; slurs and insults that hurt; treatment of others that disregards their feelings or convictions. Even much of what passes for humor these days falls in this category. And rudeness isn’t just the world’s problem; disciples struggle with it. When we’re contemptuous or unkind toward those who disagree with us, it is not love. When we disrupt worship (by talking, passing notes, trimming fingernails, etc.) instead of participating, it is not love.

Love extends to others every basic kindness and courtesy. Love treats others as it would want to be treated (Matthew 7:12).