Ephesians 4:14-16 KJV
14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
The idea of "speaking the truth in love" is something I fear many people actually use as an excuse to do exactly opposite what the verse is instructing us.
Truth, not opinion. Truth, not slander. Love. How you define Love? What does love mean to you? What does it mean that God loves you?
To me, Christian Love is the inner commitment towards someone else's wellbeing. To prioritize what is good for them over what is good for me. Affection is involved, but that commitment exists in the absence of affection just the same.
However, I've learned that as we love others with Godly love, our emotions towards them become repaired, affection grows into the emotional love we look for.
Speaking the truth in love, This is a line in the sand. We need to correctly divide between flesh and spirit, and not speak out of our feelings, our pride, our envy,
Ephesians 4:28-30 KJV
28) Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Who is able to tame their tongue? But if you do, you will be able to control your entire body. The same effort, the same mindset that overcomes the tongue is able to equally overcome the rest of the flesh. The tongue is the heaviest weight to lift, so once you can lift it, you can lift all the others too.
Let him that stole, steal no more, instead work to be able to give good things to others.
Nothing corrupt is to come out of our mouths. Godly rebuke? Or irritated flesh? Irritated flesh will NOT give grace to those who hear it. The wrath of man works not the righteousness of God. If that's what we are dishing out, we are like the man who is stealing instead of giving. Corrupt words come either from ignorance or because they appeal to the flesh in pridely self-affirmation.
Godly rebuke will not come with presumption and false words. Negative opinions of others should not be "repackaged" as "Godly rebuke".
In humble commitment to each other, this is how we can build each other in love.
Much love!
14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
The idea of "speaking the truth in love" is something I fear many people actually use as an excuse to do exactly opposite what the verse is instructing us.
Truth, not opinion. Truth, not slander. Love. How you define Love? What does love mean to you? What does it mean that God loves you?
To me, Christian Love is the inner commitment towards someone else's wellbeing. To prioritize what is good for them over what is good for me. Affection is involved, but that commitment exists in the absence of affection just the same.
However, I've learned that as we love others with Godly love, our emotions towards them become repaired, affection grows into the emotional love we look for.
Speaking the truth in love, This is a line in the sand. We need to correctly divide between flesh and spirit, and not speak out of our feelings, our pride, our envy,
Ephesians 4:28-30 KJV
28) Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Who is able to tame their tongue? But if you do, you will be able to control your entire body. The same effort, the same mindset that overcomes the tongue is able to equally overcome the rest of the flesh. The tongue is the heaviest weight to lift, so once you can lift it, you can lift all the others too.
Let him that stole, steal no more, instead work to be able to give good things to others.
Nothing corrupt is to come out of our mouths. Godly rebuke? Or irritated flesh? Irritated flesh will NOT give grace to those who hear it. The wrath of man works not the righteousness of God. If that's what we are dishing out, we are like the man who is stealing instead of giving. Corrupt words come either from ignorance or because they appeal to the flesh in pridely self-affirmation.
Godly rebuke will not come with presumption and false words. Negative opinions of others should not be "repackaged" as "Godly rebuke".
In humble commitment to each other, this is how we can build each other in love.
Much love!
