Winning Wisdom: Truth and Love

Topic: Truth and Love [Sunday, 27th August 2017]

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.  Ephesians 4:15

The truth is very important for growth. Without the truth, there may be growth, but such growth would not be sustainable. Matthew 6:22-23 says: “the light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” The light in a person’s eyes may be darkness when such light is not the right light they ought to receive. So, when the knowledge one is getting for growth is not the right one, such growth will be disastrous.

Hence “how great is that darkness!” As believers therefore, we are always taught to speak the truth, especially to the brethren. Luke 17:3  says: “take heed to yourselves: if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.” Paul also wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2 thus: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” This just shows us how important it is for us to speak the truth to one another. So that our whole body will be filled with light.

However, in speaking the truth, we need a very important tool; love. Time and again, the need for love is emphasized in scripture. 1 John 4:20-21 says: “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?  And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also.” We also need this virtue of love I’m speaking the truth to our brethren. It is important we speak the truth in love so that we don’t seem to control our brethren, rather to point them in the direction scripture provides.

Love without truth leads to destruction, while truth without love leads to control. Both of which are not the desire of God. Let us therefore speak the truth in love to one another, that we may grow into Christ in all things.

Keep winning daily.

Wise Action:

Whenever you’re placed in a position to correct your brother, Who seems to be handling a situation the wrong way, don’t condemn him first. Listen to what he has to say. Understand His standpoint. Then with the help of the Holy Spirit show him what scripture says for patiently and in love.

By Esun Tekeme