Ephesians 4:14-24 Selected Verses (NKJV)
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— ……..
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,……
20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
You have heard it said that we should speak the truth in love. What does that mean exactly? Some people have the opinion that the truth will offend some people and so we should not be offensive but politically correct. What does that mean? Should I be politically correct or right with God? Others question truth. They say there is no absolute truth. They say it is all relative. Does that mean it pertains to family? If it is all relative, there is no right and wrong. There is only opinion. And, of course, my own opinion is the most important, isn’t it? It reminds me of the phrase in the Old Testament where “each person did what was right in his own eyes.” That sounds like chaos to me. Should we abandon all law and just do what we think is right? In the Bible, the foolishness of this concept was proven time and time again. When Israel strayed from God’s truth, He gave them over to their foolish desires and they suffered as a consequence. So why do people want to try that again? Learn from the mistakes of others; you don’t have time to make them all yourself!
Speaking the truth in love is a difficult process. It is hard to figure out whether to be truthful or loving. Is it really the only choice? Do we have to be truthful or loving? Why can’t it be both? Actually, it should be both. It is not loving to not tell someone the truth. A while back, a school district told an ethnic group they were doing well in their education. Each year, they were promoted to the next grade. When they graduated, they were unprepared for higher education. The school system lied to them. They were not really doing well at all. Was it loving to lie about their education? Would it not have been more loving to tell them the truth and give them more help? Had they been told the truth about needing more help, that would have been truth and love. You can and should have both! Speak the truth in love keeping their best interest in mind!
Thank You Father for Your truth. You word is truth. You bless us through Your word which takes us down the right path. Thank You that Your plans are always for our good. You know what is best for us and lead us in that direction. Help us to be truthful with kindness, grace and compassion. In Your name we pray! Amen!