CHARITY IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED: chapter VIII

How is charity not easily provoked, or what does not being provoked have to do with charity?

Well, if you are determined to have charity you will be steadfast in it continuing in it. As we are also told charity suffereth long and that it endureth all things. There won't be a way for someone to be easily provoked if they have charity.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 KJV  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,  (5)  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;  (6)  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;  (7)  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity is above many things even forgiveness and forbearing. Which is really quite a thought worth visiting time and again as we look at the different aspects of Charity.

Colossians 3:12-14 KJV  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;  (13)  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  (14)  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Just as well knowing charity is something within you. It is not an action on its own according to scripture. So charity is acquainted with virtue and godliness just as well as knowledge... but yet it is more than those things.

2 Peter 1:5-8 KJV  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;... ...And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  (8)  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And now lets really focus on how charity is not easily provoked. It is something within you. It is the bond of perfectness, and it suffers long as well as endures all things. Charity is much more than "godly love in action" as it has lazily been defined as by words of man's wisdom. It is the bond of perfectness. It is not easily provoked. Charity is what benefits and profits, not just others, but, our own selves. Charity is not just love and kindness but also an emotion behind the action... a reason or a purpose that is firm and true. As described in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 we can have knowledge and lack charity. We can give to the poor and lack charity. We can give our bodies to be burned for another and not have charity. So, charity is not an action at all on its own but the thought and intent of and with the action. Let alone if even the thought or intent is overthrown by another. So much so that even if the good intention is turned into evil against you, it is still not easily provoked.

There is also the simple point to be made in how we are promised that we will be mocked and persecuted. But if what we do for Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour is not in charity, we can crumble and cave to the pressure and ridiculing of others. Being provoked unto sadness and not having the joy of Christ remain in us.

2 Timothy 3:12 KJV  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

...BUT...

- John 15:11 KJV  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

- Romans 14:17 KJV  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

- Philippians 2:2-4 KJV  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  (3)  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  (4)  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

So in this we should not get easily provoked when we do have charity. As if by pressure from someone mocking your good conversation (the way you carry yourself not just the way you talk).
For example, if someone starts to mock you saying you are a "Bible thumper" and always so serious, or holier then though (a goody-two shoes).
If you are not easily provoked you will not let it get to you. Even so much that you will not feel the need to respond when people mock on. But instead have a steadfastness in you being grounded upon the Rock of our salvation. And just allow their evil to manifest themselves and let God be their Judge.
Consider the following passage about how we approve ourselves as the ministers of God.

2 Corinthians 6:4 KJV  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
.......
2 Corinthians 6:8-9 KJV  By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;  (9)  As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

So even as the world may not fully understand charity (they may just think it is "love in action") they will still see the way you handle it their ridicule and God will be glorified. They may not understand because true charity according to the pure word of God ends up being confusing and unknown to them with out the word of God as their final authority. However, the manifestation of the way you conduct yourself in all circumstances will be well known. This in such a way that they who are of the contrary part, though they say much about you with many surmisings, they will have no evil thing to say about you: If so be that you are practicing charity to not be easily provoked.

Titus 2:7-8 KJV  In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,  (8)  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Now lets look at this video Bible study and have some more scriptures on this matter of charity not being easily provoked.