“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Ephesians 4:15
In this particular passage, Paul in his letter to the Ephesians distinguishes the ministry of called and chosen church leaders (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) from those who would “deceive” others through “cunning,” “craftiness” and “sleight” (Ephesians 4:14). Yet, even in this, the apostle’s distinction –“speaking the truth in love”–has often been distorted. For deception often feigns the attributes of “love” at the expense of communicating “truth”.
Somehow the notion of “speaking the truth in love” has been stripped of “truth” in deference to how “truth” makes the recipient feel or how it is delivered. (Who has ever received correction and did not “smart at the rod”? Or in postmodern terms, who has not felt pain upon being corrected or having the truth spoken to him or her?)
While it is important to communicate with as much gentleness and kindness as one can muster, it is no small wonder to observe “truth” being so stripped of its power and potency in our time owing to postmodern notions of how it makes the recipient feel. (It even gives deceivers greater advantage and greater opportunity, for these have the opportunity to deceive as long as they do not make the hearers feel bad.) All the same, perhaps the most signal way in rightly distinguishing Paul’s ministry from others is simply this: Those who love the most, speak the most truth.
Still further, in his letter to the Hebrews, Paul extends this notion when he speaks more extensively about “fathers” who “correct” and “discipline” sons for their benefit (Hebrews 12: 5-11): “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom he receives” (Hebrews 12:6). And finally we need not look any further than the Lord in his dealings with men who like a parent seeks to raise his children by “speaking the truth in love.” Through John the Revelator, he writes, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten…” (Revelation 3:19a).”
Notwithstanding the need to communicate in “love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and self-control,” (Galatians 5:22), if the message of “love” is devoid of “truth,” it is wantingly winsome at best–and deceitfully destructive-at worst.
Discover more from Brian Johnson, Ph.D.
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