2. Introduction Paul defines agape love: 1 Cor. 13:1-8a
Greeks had six words for love:
Eros: sexual passion
Philia: deep friendship
Ludus: playful love
Pragma: longstanding, mature love
Philautia: self-love, self-respect
Agape: love of the highest, most radical form; extended regardless of how unlovable

3. Introduction
Agape love “thinks no evil,” “rejoices in the truth,” and “believes all things”: 1 Cor. 13:5-7
Hate does the very opposite: 1 Jn. 3:14-15
Agape love refuses to hold and/or express evil suspicions toward others.
Paul further describes this sin as “evil surmisings” in 1 Tim. 6:3-5
It’s a sin so egregious the Holy Spirit tells Christians to “withdraw yourself” from such a person!

4. Evil Surmisings 1 Timothy 6:3-5

5. Draw conclusions based on conjecture and speculation
True agape love doesn’t “jump to conclusions” before getting the facts.
“Evil surmisings” deal with suppositions and the imagination to draw conclusions; produces distrust, creates disputes: Prov. 16:18-19
What a dreadful sin!
We need to give people the “benefit of the doubt”: Matt. 7:12; Jn. 7:24
Evil Surmisings

6. Spread contention and destroys unity
Christians are to “seek peace and pursue it”: 1 Pet. 3:11; Rom. 14:19
“Evil surmisings” create an atmosphere of mistrust and doubt which destroys unity: Eph. 4:1-3
We must practice the “Golden Rule”: Matt. 7:12
We need to have the attitude Paul describes in Phil. 2:1-4
Evil Surmisings

7. Stifle encouragement
Christians are to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works”; “evil surmisings” stifle encouragement: Heb. 10:24
“Evil surmisings” prevent communication instead of enhancing it: Acts 4:36; 9:26- 27
Let’s follow the example of Barnabas!
Evil Surmisings

8. Wound and ruin, don’t soothe and heal
“Evil surmisers” are not peacemakers: Matt. 5:9
Strife and turmoil are the fruit of “evil surmisings”: Prov. 16:28; 17:19; 28:25
Recall Paul’s words: 1 Tim. 6:3-5
“Evil surmisings” are characteristic of “A perverse man” who “separates the best of friends” !
Evil Surmisings

9. Put away evil surmisings
Cultivate love by always acting in the best interests of others: Phil. 2:1-4; Rom. 5:8; 1 Jn. 4:10-11
Judge “righteous judgments”: Jn. 7:24; Prov. 18:13, 17
Make judgments based on facts, not rumor, suspicions, innuendo or speculation: Jn. 7:24
Put interests of others before yourself; practice the “Golden Rule”: Phil. 2:1-8; 1 Tim. 5:19-20
Don’t be part of the “gossip grapevine” or the “rumor mill”!
Evil Surmisings

10. Conclusion Is your life characterized by agape love? 1 Cor. 13:4-8a
Do you practice the “Golden Rule” when forming judgements about others? Matt. 7:12; Jn. 7:24
Are you “conformed to the image of His Son” ? Rom. 8:29