Speaking The Truth Is A Loving Thing To Do

We’ve been led to believe that speaking the truth is an unloving thing to do unless the truth which is being spoken has wide, popular acceptance and consensus.  But the reality is that speaking the truth is a loving thing to do, even truths that might be difficult, challenging or unpopular.  It is important to speak truth graciously, kindly, gently and humbly.  But telling people the truth is not mean or cruel, it is loving.

Real Love Does Not Approve of Everything A Person Does

When you love someone it does not mean that you approve of everything they do. In fact, it is unloving to assure people that they are doing something right when, actually, they are doing something wrong. Doing wrong hurts the person who is doing wrong, even if he/she doesn’t acknowledge it. One of the ways that we attempt to protect those that we love is to humbly speak the truth.

The Challenge of Speaking The Truth

In the Bible, it is assumed that, among followers of Christ, we will lovingly, humbly speak truth into each other’s lives.  It is assumed that, in the church, we will be willing to be open, vulnerable, and very honest with each other.  This is challenging to consider for those of us who live in a culture in which independence and autonomy are so highly valued.