Speak the Truth in Love

Speak the Truth in Love.

Some refuse to speak the truth at all because they fear man too much. This attitude will catalyze lawlessness and apathy.

Others refuse to speak it in love because they don’t fear God enough (They may carry God’s words, but not His heart or motive). This attitude will catalyze rebellion and resentment.

Doing both, speaking the truth and doing it in love, this is what catalyzes transformation and maturity!

“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. “ Ephesians 4:15-16

I’ve been meditating lately on a question that I feel is paramount for the body of Christ in this season. What does it really look like to speak the truth in love?

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

We all know this scripture, it’s a beautiful sentiment but seems to be quickly forgotten within conversations and debates. This is a biblical definition of unconditional love. So when the Bible says, “Speak the Truth in Love” what it’s really saying is:

Speak the truth with patience. Speak the truth with kindness. Speak the truth without jealous intent. Speak the truth without boasting in self for the sake of bolstering an ego (“I told you so!”). Speak the truth without pride and arrogance (Judgmental attitudes that forget that all fall short of the glory of God). Speak the truth without dishonoring a person who is made in the image of God. Speak the truth without a need for selfish gain. Speak the truth without being easily angered. Speak the truth without keeping lists of how many times you’ve been right or how many times they’ve been wrong. If they’ve been forgiven, that means their record is wiped clean. Speak the truth without delighting in their weaknesses or wickedness. Speak the truth with rejoicing! Speak the truth to protect others. Speak the truth to increase trust. Speak the truth to inspire hope. Speak the truth with perseverance.

Most importantly, don’t ever stop speaking the truth in love, because consistent, sacrificial love never fails to open the eyes of those who are bound in deception!

“My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be so eager to become a teacher in the church since you know that we who teach are held to a higher standard of judgment. We all fail in many areas, but especially with our words. Yet if we’re able to bridle the words we say we are powerful enough to control ourselves in every way, and that means our character is mature and fully developed. Horses have bits and bridles in their mouths so that we can control and guide their large body. And the same with mighty ships, though they are massive and driven by fierce winds, yet they are steered by a tiny rudder at the direction of the person at the helm. And so the tongue is a small part of the body yet it carries great power! Just think of how a small flame can set a huge forest ablaze. And the tongue is a fire! It can be compared to the sum total of wickedness and is the most dangerous part of our human body. It corrupts the entire body and is a hellish flame! It releases a fire that can burn throughout the course of human existence.”

‭‭James (Jacob)‬ ‭3:1-6‬ ‭TPT‬‬