Love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable;
Love does not keep a record of wrongs;
(1 Corinthians 13:5 GNT)
In the heat of an argument, it is very easy to act rudely, selfishly, and to be irritable. It is also a time when scores that have been kept rise to the surface. Natural human instinct is to keep score, to get even, and to hold onto hurt feelings against those who have mistreated us.
It is human nature to try and defend ourselves when we are faced with opposition and offense. Our gut reaction is to attack the person who is accusing us of any wrongdoing.
The Bible is very clear on how we are to behave in the face of opposition. If we are walking in the Love of the Lord, we will seek to respond with grace, selflessness, and cheerfulness, not attacking or bringing up the shortcomings of our adversary.
Without the Lord, these responses are impossible because our sinful nature is to naturally gravitate to the negative. But thanks be to God, who gives us the strength and ability to walk in love.
Let us, in the power of the Holy Spirit, walk worthy of our calling and love others as Christ loved us. Let us behave in a manner that glorifies the Lord and selflessly esteems others as better than ourselves. Let us show God’s love in our words and actions with others and bring glory to the Lord.
"Bear with the faults of others as you would have them bear with yours." - Phillips Brooks