So after seeing a minor flare up in another thread and not wanting to derail it, I thought this could be a productive topic. Then I had a second thought that this could get really ugly really fast, but decided to press on anyway.
We all know that the Bible says to speak the truth in love. (Actually this isn't a command but a description of mature believers - see Eph 4:15) However, most people don't do this or at least don't do it well.
Some of us lack tact and wield the truth like a club, somehow believing that we have fulfilled the conditions of speaking truth in love by just speaking truth no matter how harshly and having some sort of desire for the person to do right and be better. The truth doesn't get through because the recipient puts up their shield when they see the weapon coming.
On the other side of the debate, we have those who are so concerned with other people's feelings and how their words will be received that they make commandments sound more like suggestions. The truth doesn't get through because it comes in too softly and comfortably and is easily ignored.
So what have you learned about combining truth and love in your interactions with people? Can you think of any really good real life examples of when truth was spoken in love to you or by you and how it turned out? How do you ensure (well as much as you can ensure) that your love is effective and the truth you speak is likely to be received? And if you are feeling really brave where do you need to grow in this area and how can this community help you grow?
We all know that the Bible says to speak the truth in love. (Actually this isn't a command but a description of mature believers - see Eph 4:15) However, most people don't do this or at least don't do it well.
Some of us lack tact and wield the truth like a club, somehow believing that we have fulfilled the conditions of speaking truth in love by just speaking truth no matter how harshly and having some sort of desire for the person to do right and be better. The truth doesn't get through because the recipient puts up their shield when they see the weapon coming.
On the other side of the debate, we have those who are so concerned with other people's feelings and how their words will be received that they make commandments sound more like suggestions. The truth doesn't get through because it comes in too softly and comfortably and is easily ignored.
So what have you learned about combining truth and love in your interactions with people? Can you think of any really good real life examples of when truth was spoken in love to you or by you and how it turned out? How do you ensure (well as much as you can ensure) that your love is effective and the truth you speak is likely to be received? And if you are feeling really brave where do you need to grow in this area and how can this community help you grow?