Speaking the Truth in Love

Speaking the truth in love. Truth and love. They must go hand-in-hand.

Am I saying it’s easy? No way. But I am saying it’s vital that we as believers strive for speaking the truth in love.

Note: Greek, the language the New Testament was mainly written in, has several different definitions for our English love. The love I’m referring to in this post is agape, which is described in 1 Corinthians 13.

 

Not  Real Love or Truth

We live in a world that seems to think if you love someone, you will encourage them to or let them live any way they’d like to live, including in a sinful way. This ignores the truth and isn’t the Biblical definition of love.

On the flip side, we have Christians who speak {or even yell} the truth without loving their neighbor. I’ve seen plenty of social media posts from Christians calling those they disagree with {for good reasons} hateful names. This ignores love and isn’t how we are to share the truth.

 

Speaking the Truth in Love: Biblical Reminders

The phrase “speaking the truth in love” probably comes from Ephesians 4:15. In this passage, Paul is addressing believers in the church. After reminding us that we are one body, the body of Christ, he tells us to hold to {or speak} the truth in love.

• In 1 Corinthians 13, the “love chapter,” Paul starts by saying that the gifts God has given each believer aren’t helpful if we don’t also possess love. He even says if we give everything we own to the poor and don’t love, our actions have no value. Further in that chapter, he reminds us that love rejoices in the truth.
• In 1, 2, and 3 John, John refers to living in the truth and living in love. In 2 John 1-2, he says that he loves the elect lady and her children in the truth.
• 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to be ready to give an answer for the hope with have…BUT to do it in a gentle and respectful way.

Even when we approach a believer overcome by sin, we are to do so with gentleness lest we fall into the temptation to become prideful ourselves. {Galatians 6:1-3}

I’m sure there are plenty more passages of Scripture that show us how to speak the truth in love. I would caution everyone, including myself: don’t read a single Bible verse. Always look at the surrounding context.

 

 

Why Speaking the Truth in Love Matters…

Why does it even matter? Why must they go hand-in-hand?

I’ve done quite a lot of reflecting and meditating through Scripture on this over question the last couple of years and I’ve come to a couple of conclusions, though I’m sure they’re not the only conclusions one could come to:

1. The Bible tells us as believers this is what we’re supposed to do. Like the song says, “God said it. I believe it.” End of story.

2. As believers, we are supposed to be a reflection of God. We are called to be the light and salt in this dark world. God is the perfect balanced of Love {1 John 4:8} and Truth {John 14:6, John 16:13}. He isn’t just Love. And He isn’t just Truth. He’s the perfection of BOTH.

And since HE is our example, as followers of Christ, we should strive, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to be both loving AND truthful in how we live and what we say.

Of course, we will never be able to perfectly balance the love and truth all of the time, but it should be one of our goals. {See 1 Peter 1:14-15.} When we mess up, and we will, we should confess and repent. {See 1 John 1:8-10} This is also where sanctification plays a part.

 

As we interact with people in our real life {like those disciples we are raising} and with those on social media, I would encourage all of us to strive to speak the truth in love.

What about you? I’d love to hear your thoughts and any other Bible verses or conclusions you draw from speaking the truth in love!

 

As Colossians 2:6-8 says, let’s raise rooted disciples for Him!
~Becky