In Paul’s definition of love, he writes, ^“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (I Corinthians 13:6-7). The word “always” is repeated four times including the duty of love to protect.

If something is harmful or runs contrary to God’s truth, we can’t allow it to continue its course of harm without exposure. Abdication of our responsibility to protect is not love, because love “always protects.” The presence of love will always confront evil in all its forms. 

An expression of love that protects a person, or a truth can be uncomfortable for those who have been taught that passivity is love. There is nothing passive about love. It challenges deception in the Church. In society, it is courageous enough to address the obvious when the obvious has been labeled as not appropriate for discussion. Love stands at the door of a home and protects a family from an intruder. 

Love without a protective element is not love. It leaves churches vulnerable to the latest whim of deceptive theology. A love without protection does not love our neighbors as ourselves and allows evil to freely roam looking for a place to settle in and destroy families, cities, and nations. Love puts a parent in harm’s way to protect a family at all costs. 

Love steps up. In stepping up to challenge a threat, a protective love will not seem very loving to those who have never seen evil have its way without being challenged. The victims of those threats who were saved from an intrusion of evil will be thankful that a protector was present to express love and thwart the plans of evil.