Speaking the truth WITHOUT love

You may have heard or read that most communication between people is NON-verbal.

Many of us find that hard to believe.

Our body language is seen and evaluated more than what we say or even HOW we say something.

Really?

If the scholars are correct, we probably need to practice in front of a full-length mirror.

Paul wrote that Christians are to speak the truth in love. 

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, Who is the head. Ephesians 4:15

In modern times when communication is often immediate and electronic, we might adapt this to say,

"Communicate the truth in love."

Let our words, tone of voice, and body language, from our face to our stance, be with God the Father's love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Sounds like something to be spoken at a wedding, doesn't it?

It's a wonderful goal but can be difficult to do.

Even when we speak natural truth,

"Uh, you're late again,"

it can be hard to communicate this in ways that build up with grace [undeserved and unearned favor] and seasoned with divine salt. Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6

So, it may be received WITHOUT love and hurt more than help someone change their practice of showing up late.

BIBLICAL TRUTH

When someone tries to tell another about the Lord Jesus Christ, Acts 1:8; 5:42; 28:31 there can be problems.

Here are some of them --

The devil will try to remove the biblical word that was planted before it has time to grow. Matthew 13:19

The devil will blind minds. 2 Corinthians 4:4

The receiver has NOT yet received the love of the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:10

The receiver has NOT yet humbled themselves as a little child to accept the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3-4; Luke 18:17

The people sharing Jesus have a proud look, which the Father hates. Proverbs 6:17

The people sharing Jesus are deceivers by their choice. Matthew 24:4-5; 2 Corinthians 2:17; Ephesians 4:14; Titus 1:10-11; 2 Peter 2:1

The people sharing Jesus are deceivers because they're deceived 2 Timothy 3:13 in their interpretations of certain truths -- 

That the resurrection has already occurred. WRONG

But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,

and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene [a cancer].

Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have deviated [gone astray] from the truth.

They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some. 2 Timothy 2:16-18

Or that to keep the Law of Moses will save them. Galatians 2:19, 21; 3:11; 5:1-3; Romans 7:4  WRONG

You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed [cut off] from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. Galatians 5:4

Or that Jesus was a deceiver, Matthew 27:63; John 7:12 WRONG

a blasphemer, Matthew 26:65 WRONG

or was NOT Himself God in bodily form. Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-2, 14; 10:30-33; 12:45; 14:6-11; 20:27-28; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:3; 2 Peter 1:1 WRONG

Believers are supposed to speak and communicate the truth in love. Ephesians 4:15

This is so that people can be born from above, born anew, born of God, born again as they become new creations through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the word of truth about Him to save them. Luke 24:44-45; John 1:12-13; 3:3-7, 16-17; 20:30-31; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3, 23

Then, the communication of more truth enables them to grow up spiritually into the full maturity of the Savior.

Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ. Ephesians 4:13

IMITATE JESUS

Many things can be gleaned from the life of Jesus. Here are some of them --

He said that He did and spoke what God the Father wanted. John 5:19; 12:49-50

Since the Father is love, "God is love," 1 John 4:8 the Father in the Lord Jesus Christ was divine love among people. John 5:36; 14:10-11; 2 Corinthians 5:19

He had enemies. Mark 3:6; Luke 11:53-54; John 15:18, 23-25

At times He had harsh words for some of these enemies such as hypocrites. Matthew 23:1-7, 13-19; Luke 13:11-17

Jesus had the Holy Spirit without measure because the Father's fullness was in Him. John 3:34; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:19; 2:9 

He would die for the ungodly. Romans 5:6

So, the fullness of divine love was able to call someone a hypocrite with their salvation in mind. Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 1:15

Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent. Revelation 3:19

We may NOT be so capable with His divine compassion Matthew 20:34 even as we desire to walk as He walked. 2 Corinthians 5:14; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6

Therefore in today's world, to call someone a hypocrite is likely to offend and cause other trouble.

Literally, the New Testament word, hypocrite, means an actor: someone who pretends to be who they're really not.

Did Jesus NOT speak the truth in love?

If He didn't, wouldn't that have been a sin?

The Bible says that He did NOT sin, nor was guile [deceit] found in His mouth. 1 Peter 2:22-23

Such a high priest truly befits [fitting for] us—One Who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Hebrews 7:26

He is the holy Lamb of God Who took away the sin of the world because He was sinless and able to be its Savior. John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18-20; 1 John 4:14

BE QUICK TO LISTEN and DON'T INTERRUPT

Another quality Jesus had was how He listened.

Even when He knew their thoughts Matthew 9:3-4 and wrong motives, Matthew 22:35-36; Mark 12:13-15 Scripture never says that He interrupted others.

Those who didn't believe in a resurrection told a long story but Jesus did NOT stop them, Mark 12:18-23 even though He knew that they were in error.

When they had finished without interruption, Jesus answered with the truth. Mark 12:24-27

Jesus said to them, "Aren’t you mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?" Mark 12:24 

James wrote, 

My beloved brothers [and sisters], understand this: 

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 

for man's [human] anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20

If we DO this in everyday life and not only be hearers, Matthew 7:24-25; Philippians 4:9; James 1:22 this can be part of the Lord's training 2 Timothy 3:16-17 so that when we communicate His truth, it IS with His love, faith, and hope. 1 Corinthians 13:13

There's no reason to interrupt anyone, nor only partially pay attention to them.

Why?

We honor all. Romans 12:10; 1 Peter 2:17

We don't speak evil of anyone. Titus 3:2 

They may be hypocrites (actors) Matthew 23:13 and even liars 1 John 2:4; 4:20 but we remember that we also were at one time foolish, disobedient, and deceived. Titus 3:3

We consider that they're better than ourselves Philippians 2:3 because we're willing to take the last place. Luke 14:10

We have prayed and given thanks for them. 1 Timothy 2:1-2

We have wrestled against the devil and his demons for the lost and hurting in this world. Ephesians 6:10-12; Colossians 4:12

We want the love of the Father shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Romans 5:5 to spring up John 4:14 and flow out John 7:37-39 toward them, don't we?

Yes, we CAN communicate His word of truth John 17:17 in His love. Ephesians 4:15

Your thoughts?

R. Jason