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Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful...
1 Corinthians 13:5-6
Reflect
Movies can so often be inspirational. They can provide us with real wisdom, such as when Gandalf tells us in The Lord of the Rings, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” That’s pretty good advice.
On the other hand, movies can give a lot of bad advice, too – especially in the area of love. One quote that confounds me comes from an all-time favorite – The Wizard of Oz. It was actually a quote from the book that made it into the movie near the end when the wizard tells the Tin Man: “A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.” Pardon? That makes no sense at all. It means that a privately generous person who cares for others has an empty heart, while the person who cares nothing for others but is admired by many – like certain celebrities – has the biggest heart of all.
Another head-scratcher is regarded as one of the most memorable movie quotes of all time. In fact, it’s listed at No. 13 on the American Film Institute’s list of its best 100 movie quotes. In Love Story, Ali MacGraw tells Ryan O’Neal, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” Really? So if you love someone, just because they love you, too, you don’t have to apologize for saying or doing something wrong. That may sound romantic on screen, but it doesn’t hold up very well in real life
The Bible’s model of love is completely different. In 1 Corinthians 13, the apostle Paul describes love not as a feeling but as a series of actions and attitudes—qualities that focus less on self and more on the good of another person. To love means choosing patience, kindness, truth, and hope. It means refusing pride, irritability, selfishness and resentment.
My stepfather used to use this scripture at weddings and would replace the word “love” in the passage with the bride’s and groom’s names. I heard that so many times that it became a bit worn, but honestly, it really does work. Try it today in regards to someone you love – instead of “Love is patient,” put your name in place of the word “love” and ask yourself if that’s true. Do that with the entire passage and let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart about the areas that might need work. Pray that the Lord will help you become more loving as you seek to truly and actively love others.
Reflection copyright © 2026 Doug DeBolt.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
