Love is longsuffering, love is kind, love is not jealous, love does not brag, is not puffed up … 1 Corinthians 13:4
The concept of being puffed up is typically viewed as a person that is conceited. They have and are showing an excessively high opinion of themselves. As an example to the saints in Corinth, Paul used himself and Apollos to show that no one should be puffed up about themselves.
Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. – 1 Corinthians 4:6
We are not to let our freedom in understanding of false idols puff us up, for let us not forget we also followed them before God saved us. You never followed a false idol? Never bowed down to a statue of stone or wood? Do you think that those who are idolaters are ignorant and simpletons to do such a thing? Have you ever coveted what another person has?
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, wrong desire, and the covetousness, which is idolatry. – Colossians 3:5
Yes, it is true that idols are nothing, but let us not allow our knowledge to puff us up.
Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. – 1 Corinthians 8:1
And do not let those who follow idolatry persuade you into it also by using false humility and the worship of angels while intruding into things that are not seen and being vainly puffed up in the fleshly mind.
Let no one cheat you while desirously willing in humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up from his fleshly mind, – Colossians 2:18
Where do we see these things in the church today? Those who speak of demons and casting them out, claiming to have authority that Scripture does not give us. Those who talk about the spiritual warfare of angels and teach that our prayers influence the outcome of good and evil. Those who speak of the deep things of Satan. Those who teach that we should have what God has given others. All are vainly puffed up from their fleshly minds about things they do not see or understand.
Love has no need to make itself appear to be bigger than it really is. Even the smallest act of love is far greater than any act from our flesh. Let love just simply be love.
