Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. ~Ephesians 4:15-16
Rather. That word means that this is the “instead” that goes with last week’s blog post. Last week’s verse dealt with the ways we’re pulled away from growing up in Christ.
So, instead of being carried away on the whim of every new thought, we’re to speak the truth in love.
Once upon a time, not long ago, we visited a part of the country where, as a result of preaching the gospel, the pastor received a fairly awful email. The language was bold, sharp, basically mean. This pastor told me that he felt so incredibly torn down by this email, until he looked at the email from a distance and realized that the sender was actually trying to give him a complement. Truth was spoken, but the “truth in love” part was left out.
It’s easy to speak the truth, but to do so “in love?” That adds an element that sometimes takes some effort. We need to slow down, be mindful of our words, and watch our tone.
As a mother, I’m realizing as I type this just how much of those three statements I repeat to my son on a daily basis: slow down, be mindful of your words, and watch your tone.
I was told those same things as a kid, and I’d guess you were too. Or at least some variation of that. Did you know that concept is from the Bible? We are to speak the truth IN LOVE. All of us. All the time.
Why?
This verse goes on to say that each part of the body of Christ has been equipped, and when working together properly (aka. speaking nicely to each other), the whole body builds itself up in love.
It takes all of us. All the time.