[Charity] is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil. (1 Corinthians 13:5b)
Paul gave two simple definitions of love in these few words. One who is not easily provoked is a patient person. An individual who thinks no evil is a good person. Love will not be provoked into sinning and refuses to think what evil wants it to think.
Love's patience is shown in the believer’s ability to remain calm and composed even in the face of frustration, agitation, or attack. Instead of immediately reacting in the flesh and retaliating in anger, a patient person pauses, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to their heart about how to respond. We should develop and cultivate patience in our relationships. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of His fruit of patience and focus on how you can change the surrounding atmosphere by faith instead of being pulled down to the level of those who are stirring things up.
Paul also said that love thinks no evil. That means we choose to think the best of someone first, giving them the benefit of the doubt. We choose not to think the worst of people immediately. Love chooses to give mercy, and views others the way Christ views them. Love deliberately shuts out evil thoughts toward others.
Both factors, patience and goodness, mean that love must be quick to forgive. Provocation and evil thoughts come from a heart that harbors bitterness and hatred. If we want to see our faith work (as faith works by love), we must make a concentrated effort to let go of bitterness and resentment.
Practical Application
One way to tell how you’re developing in God’s love is to see how quick you are to react negatively to difficult and tense moments. Our job is not to react in the flesh but to respond with the Word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you respond with faith, not react in the flesh.