The Truth in Love
By soundmindandheart In Uncategorized On May 27, 2015
Ephesians 4:15
But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ. NASB
I really do not like being an adult sometimes. Children have it made. They are taken care of, nurtured, encouraged, taught new things, see the world as a play place and sleep very well. Why do we have to grow up? The real answer is that this is the cycle of life. As we learn and grow physically, mentally and spiritually, we move into the role of an adult.
I have heard people say many times that they just spoke the truth in love to someone. It is often a justification for what they said that hurt that person. Would the person really be hurt if we spoke it in love? How does one speak in love to another about a truth?
Love is a warm, personal, emotional attachment for another person. When you have something to tell a loved one that is true, but could be painful for them, how do you best deliver the message? I am a very direct person. When I have to speak the truth in love, I find myself stopping and considering the person and how they will react to the truth. So I choose to come at them from the best direction or method that would give them the opportunity to hear the truth. For example, yesterday my daughter called me upset with someone about a changed appointment time with a doctor. You see I had questioned why this appointment was two weeks after the test had been ran to discover a major problem the patient is having. It made no sense to me as sick as the patient appears to be why the Doctor was waiting two weeks when the results would come in a couple of days. My daughter was mad that she had to rearrange today at work because of this. I listened to her and consoled her about it. Then I prayed and called a good friend in the medical field to as a couple of questions. Yes, my friend confirmed that I was right and that my daughter needed to be prepared for what the appointment could be about. So, I called my daughter back and spent 5 to 10 minutes explaining my theory about the reason for the appointment being moved. Now my normal approach would have been to say, “The Doctor changed the appointment because he found something that has to be addressed as soon as possible.” Instead I chose to come at it in a roundabout way to let my daughter think and accept that possibilities. It worked and we did not have a meltdown or tears. Praise the Lord! The even better news is that it is a problem that needs to be addressed, but it can be repaired and quality of life should return.
This example was easier that the type of truth in love that is correction to the one that we love. We must get the message across in a manner this is heard and inspires action on their part to change. The key to this is to show love for the individual and make clear the need for change. Change is very difficult for us. I don’t like it unless I see the benefits of change and the reason for it. So when you are facing this type of situation, please pray, consider the person, know your reasons for the conversation and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in all that you say. If we do it right the person changes for the better and everyone around them benefits even the body of Christ.
The next verse is important:
Ephesians 4:16
From whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up itself in love. NASB
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May God Bless You!
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