Do No Harm

"Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law." Romans 13:10

Upon first reading this verse it might be easy for us to say, "I'm good in this area." Why? Because we tend to think of things like physical harm, stealing, or blatant verbal abuse. But what about indifference or repeating someone else's sins and failings to others. Are these not harm? Of course they are, and this verse has even more power when it is read in context:

  "...You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet, and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

"Love your neighbor as yourself!" When is the last time you told your sins in the lunchroom at work or posted your foolishness on social media? I doubt you have, but how quick we can be to do so to others. Being a Christian means training ourselves, with the help of the Holy Spirit,  to be kind in all situations. The next time we go to speak it might do well to ask ourselves, "If this were my issue, would I publicize it like this?" or ask "How would I feel if no one took time to notice me today?"

Doing no harm is more than first meets the eye. Doing no harms actually means doing good! So, what can we say or do today that builds someone else up or makes their life better? Let that be the goal of our hearts today!