WALKING IN LOVE

WALKING IN LOVE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 8:1

Key Verse: “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” — 1 Corinthians 8:1 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; Romans 14:13-19; Philippians 2:3-4; Colossians 3:12-14; 1 John 4:7-8

Description: Walking in love means allowing the love of Christ to govern our knowledge, attitudes, decisions, relationships, and treatment of others, choosing to build people up rather than use knowledge or freedom to hurt them.

INTRODUCTION

The Corinthian believers possessed knowledge, spiritual gifts, and understanding, but Paul warned them that knowledge without love could become a source of pride. In 1 Corinthians 8:1, he made a powerful contrast: “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” Knowledge can make a person feel superior, but love uses what we know to bless and build others.

Christianity is not merely about knowing the truth; it is about living the truth in love. A person may have excellent biblical knowledge, understand doctrine, and possess spiritual gifts, yet still fail to reflect Christ if love is absent from his relationships and conduct.

Walking in love means putting the welfare of others into consideration. It means using our freedom responsibly, refusing to allow knowledge or spiritual maturity to become a reason for pride, and deliberately choosing actions that strengthen rather than weaken those around us.

1. UNDERSTAND THE POWER OF CHRISTIAN LOVE

Love is not an optional quality for believers. It is central to the Christian life.

a) Love Is The Mark Of Christ's Disciples (John 13:35)
Jesus said that people would recognise His disciples by their love for one another.

b) Love Comes From God (1 John 4:7)
Genuine Christian love has its source in God. Those who have experienced His love should demonstrate it to others.

c) Love Fulfils God's Law (Romans 13:10)
Love seeks the good of others and therefore fulfils the righteous intention behind God's commands.

d) Love Demonstrates Spiritual Maturity (Colossians 3:14)
Love is the bond that brings Christian virtues together and produces maturity in relationships.

Biblical Example: The early believers demonstrated practical love by caring for one another and sharing their resources according to need (Acts 2:44-45).

2. DO NOT ALLOW KNOWLEDGE TO PRODUCE PRIDE

Paul did not condemn knowledge; he warned against knowledge without love.

a) Knowledge Can Puff Up (1 Corinthians 8:1)
Knowledge can create a false sense of superiority when it is not accompanied by humility.

b) Love Builds Others Up (1 Corinthians 8:1)
Love asks how our knowledge can be used to strengthen, encourage, and help others.

c) Humility Must Accompany Knowledge (1 Corinthians 8:2)
A person who thinks he knows everything may not yet understand as he ought.

d) God Values Character As Well As Understanding (1 Corinthians 13:2)
Spiritual knowledge without love is empty. God desires transformed character, not merely accumulated information.

Biblical Example: Apollos was knowledgeable and eloquent, but Priscilla and Aquila helped him understand the way of God more accurately, and he received their instruction with humility (Acts 18:24-26).

3. USE YOUR FREEDOM RESPONSIBLY

Christian freedom should never become an excuse for hurting or confusing another believer.

a) Not Everything Permitted Is Helpful (1 Corinthians 10:23)
Paul taught that even when something is lawful, it may not necessarily be beneficial or edifying.

b) Consider The Conscience Of Others (1 Corinthians 8:12)
Our actions should take into consideration the spiritual wellbeing of fellow believers.

c) Do Not Become A Stumbling Block (1 Corinthians 8:9)
Christian liberty should never be used carelessly in a way that causes another believer to fall.

d) Put Others Before Personal Rights (Philippians 2:4)
Love considers the interests of others rather than insisting on personal rights at all times.

Biblical Example: Paul was willing to restrict his own freedom if exercising that freedom would cause another believer to stumble (1 Corinthians 8:13).

4. LET LOVE CONTROL YOUR WORDS AND ACTIONS

Love is demonstrated through practical behaviour, not merely through statements.

a) Speak With Grace (Colossians 4:6)
Our words should be gracious and appropriate, even when correction is necessary.

b) Be Patient With Others (1 Corinthians 13:4)
Love is patient. It does not demand instant perfection from people who are still growing.

c) Refuse To Keep Score Of Offences (1 Corinthians 13:5)
Love does not continually calculate what others have done wrong.

d) Seek The Good Of Others (1 Corinthians 10:24)
Christian love asks what will benefit others rather than focusing exclusively on personal advantage.

Biblical Example: Barnabas demonstrated encouragement and acceptance when he sought out Saul and helped him become accepted among the believers (Acts 9:26-27).

5. WALK IN LOVE DURING DISAGREEMENTS

Love becomes especially important when believers disagree.

a) Do Not Despise Others (Romans 14:10)
Differences in convictions should not become reasons for contempt among believers.

b) Pursue Peace (Romans 14:19)
We should deliberately pursue things that promote peace and spiritual growth.

c) Bear With The Weak (Romans 15:1)
Those who are spiritually stronger should use their strength to support those who are weaker.

d) Choose Edification Over Victory (Romans 14:19)
Being right is not enough; our response should strengthen the body of Christ.

Biblical Example: The Jerusalem Council handled a major doctrinal and cultural disagreement with prayer, discussion, Scripture, and wise leadership rather than allowing the church to divide (Acts 15:1-29).

6. MAKE LOVE YOUR DAILY LIFESTYLE

Walking in love must become a consistent way of life rather than an occasional response.

a) Put On Love Daily (Colossians 3:14)
Love should become part of our spiritual clothing; something visibly expressed in our daily relationships.

b) Love Even When It Is Difficult (Matthew 5:44)
Jesus calls believers to love even their enemies and pray for those who persecute them.

c) Forgive Others (Ephesians 4:32)
Love gives room for forgiveness because it remembers the mercy we have received from God.

d) Let Everything Be Done In Love (1 Corinthians 16:14)
Every Christian activity; from ministry to correction and service, should be governed by love.

Biblical Example: Jesus continued to love His disciples despite their weaknesses, misunderstandings, and failures, patiently teaching and restoring them.

CONCLUSION

Walking in love is one of the clearest ways to demonstrate that Christ is truly at work in our lives. Knowledge is valuable, but knowledge without love can produce pride. Spiritual gifts are valuable, but gifts without love can become empty displays. Christian freedom is valuable, but freedom without love can become a stumbling block.

Therefore, let love govern everything we do. Let us use our knowledge to build people up, our freedom to serve others, our words to encourage, and our strength to support the weak. When love becomes the governing principle of our lives, we will not merely know about Christ—we will increasingly reflect Christ.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, fill my heart with genuine Christian love and make me more like Jesus, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, deliver me from pride, arrogance, selfishness, and every attitude that hinders me from loving others, in Jesus name.

3. Father, help me to use my knowledge to build people up rather than make me feel superior to them, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, give me grace to consider the spiritual wellbeing of others in all my decisions, in Jesus name.

5. Father, help me to control my words and let everything I say minister grace to those who hear me, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, teach me to forgive quickly, bear with others patiently, and refuse to keep records of offences, in Jesus name.

7. Father, deliver me from every attitude that causes others to stumble, and make my life an example of godly love, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, help me to demonstrate love even when I am misunderstood, criticised, or offended, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let love and unity prevail among believers, and remove every spirit of division, jealousy, pride, and strife from Your church, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, let everything I do be motivated by love and bring glory to the name of Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. The love of Christ shall fill your heart and transform the way you relate to God and to people.

2. You shall not be controlled by pride or arrogance; the Lord shall give you a humble and teachable spirit.

3. Your knowledge shall not destroy relationships; God shall give you wisdom to use what you know to build and strengthen others.

4. You shall receive grace to exercise Christian freedom responsibly and shall not become a stumbling block to another believer.

5. Your words shall become instruments of healing, encouragement, correction, and reconciliation.

6. The Lord shall give you patience to bear with the weaknesses of others and wisdom to help them grow.

7. Every root of selfishness, bitterness, jealousy, and unforgiveness shall lose its power over your life.

8. You shall become a source of encouragement and strength to the people God has placed around you.

9. The love of Christ shall strengthen unity in your family, church, ministry, and relationships.

10. Your life shall become a visible expression of Christ's love, and through your conduct many shall be drawn closer to Jesus.