Speaking the truth in love
Love aims at the truth, for it is truth that sets a man free.
But, the arrows of truth rarely bounce off their target. Because they hurt, usually the giving of truth is interpreted to be an unloving gesture, and so the Christian who spoke the truth has sinned.
So how can someone speak the truth in love without it injuring the recipient, or what does speaking the truth in love really mean?
The apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 4 the context of growing disciples to fullness in Christ, to a maturity that will hold the entire Christian community together. As part of his counsel to the 'infant' believers who wax and wane in their faith, they are to speak the truth in love to each other. It is then that these ebbing and flowing believers will grow to be mature, and not blown around by the craftiness of deceitful men. It is truth that sets them straight.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. (Ephesians 4:15)
The advice that Paul gives speaks far more to the heart of the speaker, than to the ear of the listener.
It seems clear that "speaking the truth in love" is a reference to motive, not tone of voice. ~ Pastor Brad
Today's Soul Snippet:
"Hell is truth seen too late." ~ H.G. Adams