Speaking the truth in love

but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head Christ - Ephesians 4v15

As I get older I am learning more and more about the importance of balance. One area which we rarely see balance is in this area of truth and love. It is obvious, I think, that there is more here than a husband’s reply to his wife’s question, “How do I look in this?”

Speaking the truth is in the whole context of building and edifying the body of Christ. There are times when part of that task includes correction and instruction. Sometimes that is not comfortable. Sometimes it means confrontation.

When that time comes there are two way to handle it. One can focus on the truth, which is after all vitally important. But sometimes the truth can be spoken in a way that is harsh and cruel. I have heard preachers from the pulpit ranting and raving and screaming. What they said was the truth, but the way they said it showed no love or compassion.

I have heard others speak who spoke with such love and seeming compassion that they never quite seemed to get to the truth. Plenty of “love” but no truth accomplishes nothing.

I think that’s why we have to be reminded to speak the truth in love. If we leave out one or the other the message is going to have no affect. We will be wasting our time.

We can never sacrifice love for the truth. We can never sacrifice the truth for the sake of love.

Balance. How much more clearly can that be put than, “Speak the truth in love?”