Speake the Truth and Communicate Love
Jesus spoke truth to the heart; even hard words were seasoned with grace and combined with love.
In Ephesians 4:15, Paul tells us, “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.” A great reminder that our words carry weight, particularly when wrapped in love. Note too, when we combine truth with love, we spark maturity in ourselves and those around us.
Truth-Oriented vs. Love-Oriented
The two together make each other more powerful. Yet, they don’t each come naturally to everyone.
Some of us are truth-oriented. We value honesty, but sometimes the truth comes out more like law than grace. We care about others’ feelings, but we’re convinced that the truth can set them free. We may say things like, “I have to tell you this” or “You need to hear this.” We think we’re speaking the truth in love, but our words hurt. They’re not received. We must realize that truth becomes transformative when wrapped in gentle care.
Truth becomes transformative when wrapped in gentle care.
On the flip side, there are those of us who are love-oriented. We genuinely care about how people feel and want to communicate kindness. But sometimes, we shy away from sharing hard truths that others really need to hear. We want people to feel accepted and know that we’re in their corner, and we fear that being truthful might come across as judgmental. But not speaking the truth? That can actually be unloving and unhelpful.
The Christlike Approach: Merging Truth and Love
So, how do we find that sweet spot? How do we embody Christlike speech that values both truth and love?
Here are a few tips:
Pause and Reflect: Before you speak, take a moment to consider your intention. Ask yourself, “What is my goal in sharing, and is this the most effective way to share?” “Is what I’m saying true? Is this what Jesus would say? This simple pause can make a world of difference.
Ask for Guidance: Pray for wisdom! Knowing your tendency, ask the Lord to give you what you lack—love or truth that needs speaking. The Holy Spirit is our helper, guiding us to communicate effectively. Ask God to show you how to share the truth and love others.
Choose Your Words and Watch Your Tone: It’s not just what you say, but how you say it. Use gentle language and be mindful of your tone. Instead of “You need to change,” try, “I’ve noticed some things, and I care about you. Can we talk about it?”
Reflect on the Impact of Your Words: How did it go? Read their face, their response. While it’s a two-way transaction, did the other person listen to your words, even if they disagreed, or did they feel judged, misunderstood, or attacked?
You can’t control how others react. Focus on speaking truth to their hearts, delivering your message with love, and trust that God will work in His timing.
By the way, if someone doesn’t receive your words, that’s okay. You can’t control how others react. Focus on speaking truth to their hearts, delivering your message with love, and trust that God will work in His timing.
At the end of the day, spiritual maturity isn’t just about knowing the truth; it’s about how we communicate that truth with love. Each may need to be heard for truth to be transformative. May God continue to make us into Jesus’ image, who spoke directly to the heart, constantly merging truth with grace. Together, we can create an environment where Christlike maturity flourishes.