| It is sadly possible for us to be “speaking the truth,” but not “in love,” and “though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity [love], I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” There are some things which are true, but which are better left unspoken. We who know the Lord are told that “above all things have fervent charity [love] among yourselves: for [love] shall cover the multitude of sins.” We are also told to be “laying aside … all evil speakings,” that is, things spoken with intent to hurt others, even if such things are true. “He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.” And the same principle of “speaking the truth in love” applies to our proclamation of God’s Word, which “word is truth.” The Word of God is not our personal weapon to be used thoughtlessly or carelessly. It is “the sword of the Spirit … the word of God.” We are not to speak it in a contentious way, but rather to be “speaking the truth in love,” regarding it “not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God.” Thus shall the truth of God be usable as we speak it, and thus shall we, “speaking the truth in love … grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” |
