Love is not Self-seeking

Preached by Apostle Aje Pelser, Sept. 2026, Harvester Reformational Church, Burgundy Estate.

1Co 13:5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

1 Corinthians 13:5 in the Amplified Bible (AMP) reads: “It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].”

Short Summary

Love is not self-seeking, but looks outwardly towards God and others. Because we are created in God’s image, we are called to walk in the mind of Christ, esteem others, fulfil the command to love, pray effectively, remain considerate, care for the body of Christ, and allow love to remove evil thinking from our hearts.

Reasons not to be self-seeking alone, but to think outwardly in love

1. We are created in the image of the One who did not seek His own

Gen 1:27 — So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Gen 1:28 — God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion…”
Php 2:3 — Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Php 2:4 — Look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Php 2:5 — Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

2. We fulfil the command to love

There is a right place for self-love, even in the Gospel:

Mat 22:36–40 — Jesus teaches that the great commandments are to love the Lord your God and to love your neighbour as yourself.
Rom 13:10 — Love does no harm to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

3. It enhances prayer

Dr Roy M Gray writes about prayer:

The “effectual fervent” praying we can do for our brother depends upon praying that lays hold of God for righteousness in our own lives.
We are to love our neighbours as ourselves; how can we desire holiness for him if we have no desire for it ourselves?
The seeming selfishness of praying much for one’s self is only “seeming” selfishness, because it helps us fit into the classification of a “righteous man” whose prayers avail much.
Operating in selfless love renders provocation ineffective.

4. Selfless love is considerate and resists evil conduct and thoughts

2Pe 3:15 — Consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation.
Heb 12:3 — Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

5. Selfless love reminds us we are part of the body of Christ

1Co 12:25 — There should be no schism in the body, but the members should have the same care for one another.
1Co 12:26 — If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
1Co 12:27 — You are the body of Christ, and members individually.

6. Love removes the evil in our thinking

Look at the Greek word for evil and consider what type of thinking needs to be removed in our beings.
Strong’s Concordance definition: “evil” — G2556 “kakos”.
Apparently a primary word: worthless, depraved, injurious — bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked.

Prayer for Love to reign in our hearts

Lord Jesus, we repent of allowing evil thoughts to prevail in our hearts and minds. Holy Spirit clear out all evil thinking and help us to cultivate the fruit of love and self-control so that we won’t be so easily provoked. Help us to live balanced lives to care for others while not neglecting ourselves in the process. Let us operate from the overflow of love and all sufficient grace to help us in our time of need, in Jesus’ name. Amen.