Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Our shout-out today goes to Robert Jae from Harvest, AL. Thanks for your partnership in Project23. We cannot do this without donors like you.

Our text today is 1 Corinthians 13:5-6.

It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. — 1 Corinthians 13:5-6

Are you fighting for truth—or for yourself?

That's the edge of this scripture today

Let's break this down

"Love does not insist on its own way." Literally, it does not seek its own. This is the tension of most church conflicts—and most "truth debates."

My preference. My timeline. My comfort. My recognition. My, my, my wrapped in spiritual language.

Corinth insisted on its rights. My freedom. My knowledge. They divided over personalities. They defended themselves quickly and forgave slowly.

Paul says: that is not love. Love does not revolve around self, even when self claims to be defending truth.

Love also "is not irritable." The word carries the idea of being easily provoked—thin-skinned, quick to flare.

And love "is not resentful." This is an accounting phrase. Love does not keep a ledger of wrongs. It does not file offenses for later mental review. If you replay conversations in your head… If you store old wounds for leverage… If you withdraw when crossed… If you justify sharpness because you're correct… If you feel more energized by winning than by restoring… Paul says that is not love.

And then he adds something clarifying. Something our morally lost world needs to hear about love.

Love "does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth." Love is not moral indifference. It is not soft on truth. It does not celebrate sin for the sake of peace.

On the flip side, it also does not weaponize truth to win arguments.

The real question is not simply, "Am I right?" but "Why am I fighting?"

Is your real goal restoration or vindication? Then choose words—and a tone—that aim to win your brother and sister in Christ, not the debate.

DO THIS:

Think of one relationship where you have been easily provoked or quietly keeping score. Release the ledger. Choose one tangible act of reconciliation or kindness.

ASK THIS:

1. Do I insist on my own way—even when I am technically right?
2. Where am I thin-skinned instead of thick-skinned in love?
3. Am I fighting for truth—or for myself?
4. Do I use truth to restore—or to control?

PRAY THIS:

Lord, free me from self-seeking instincts. Guard me from keeping score. Teach me to rejoice in truth for the good of others, not for the defense of myself. Shape in me the self-giving love of Christ. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"