Speaking the Truth in Love by Brycen Marner
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:15-16
We have all met someone who’s growth into maturity was seemingly stunted by a person who should have been a trusted support instead crushed them with loveless and demeaning correction. It wasn’t that the words were not grounded in truth, but void of appropriate love it proved destructive.
And then for me there was Dan. Dan was a worship leader in my youth ministry growing up. Dan is one of the few people on this planet that can make me cry, yet he’s never threatened me, screamed at me or cursed me. No Dan speaks the truth in love. I remember a time in my teen years where Dan approached me about my heart. He brought some areas to my attention that I kind of knew might be an issue but I wasn’t willing to own them. In a quiet way he brought conviction that brought tears not of anger but of pain mixed with joy. He was willing to cut me in love to help me grow.
That is really the key isn’t it? Cutting truth delivered in love brings growth. If the church is to grow as a body of individuals connected under the headship of Christ, we must proclaim the truth to one another, but we must do it in love. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13 just how worthless “spiritual” things are if void of love. Yet with love, truth spoken brings the believer into a position to bring more worship to his savior and more viability to the body.
Are you a truth speaker? Is it seasoned with love?
How important is a significant relationship to giving and receiving hard words of truth?
Are there people in your past that you need to forgive for speaking the truth to you in less than loving ways? Can you forgive them?
Are there people in your past that spoke hard words to you that you may have horibllized to think they weren’t speaking in love and it is possible you were not assuming the best of their intentions? Can you release them from this undeserved bitterness?
When have you experienced great growth in the faith because of someone speaking a hard truth to you?
Do you have relationships with other Christians right now who can cut you up so you can grow? Are you willing to return the favor?