Love...does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the truth.
So, this one about delighting in evil may not be understood by everyone because it seems a bit over the top. Let's look at the first part of this verse...does not rejoice in iniquity. (Iniquity means acts of unrighteousness...basically, evil or sin)
I don't believe that I have ever delighted in evil, BUT maybe we don't know what evil is to God? Many times we are blind to God's truth. Could this be the case? We may not knowingly delight in evil but we may not know what we have allowed ourselves to find delight in what GOD sees as evil?
We like to justify our behavior...that we had a "right" to feel a certain way. Hmm...yes, now THAT sounds more like something I have done. Delighting myself in the justification of my own attitudes. If I didn't meet up to the true definition of love I am SURE it wasn't MY fault...it HAD to be Josh's! Sound familiar? Maybe just to me?
Another way to look at it is this...suppose you are at work and your coworker gets called out by the boss for something that they did. Maybe not out loud but inside you are rather pleased. Why? Because HE got in trouble, not YOU. And because he took the brunt of the boss's anger you, in turn, look so much better. Maybe now is a good time to ask for that raise?
Now, apply this to your spouse...do you rejoice when they fall and receive the consequences of their actions? Is "I told you so!" a common phrase that you use in your arguments to make your point?
This phrase that we are looking at is a little better explained by The Message translation. It says, "Love doesn't revel when others grovel..." Do you sit up high on your holier-than-thou throne as your spouse grovels for forgiveness? If you answered "YES!!", now might be a good time to go back and read Part 5 of this series. (It talks about pride and boasting...)
Now, for the other half...but rejoices in truth. Here the New Living Translation speaks volumes. It says, "but rejoices whenever truth wins out." Rejoicing over the truth winning is not the same as rejoicing in one's iniquity.
When truth wins it is a glorious day! Past hurts and offenses are forgiven because truth won! Healing and wholeness comes in wave after rolling wave because truth won! This is the day of the big payoff...because truth won! All of the prayers...all of the fasting...all of the intercession...all of the tears that were shed...all of the injustices endured were all worth it because truth won! This is the day you have been waiting for...for truth to win.
Rejoicing over the iniquity and sins of your spouse will be a very lonely party...you will probably be the only one to show up. God won't be there. But, when rejoicing over the truth having won...now that is a party that God will attend and the world will come to witness. For the impossible will have been accomplished! That which everyone said could not be restored will have been paid back to you with restitution made! All of the one's that spoke negativity and death to your marriage....will stand in awe and be left speechless. You stood on the truth of God's Word when everyone else decided to stand on the opinion of the world. I dare you to try and see who the last one standing is....
TRUTH WINS!!! EVERYTIME!!!
Josh and Serena
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