Love Speaks the Truth
Love speaks the truth because God commands believers to speak the truth in love. Yet how many biblical responses do you hear about the moral issues of our day?
Bruce Jenner’s revelation in 2015 was the beginning of societal tolerance riding herd over biblical truth and calling it love. But if Bruce Jenner never hears the gospel, how loving is that when you know hell will be his final destination? Does it not occur to Christians that Jesus Christ died needlessly if God tolerates sin?
The following verse tells us why we would rather look loving than actually be loving.
For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:21
Christians are called to be Christ’s ambassadors, so be alert to your heart’s motivation. Because whenever you refuse to speak the truth in love, you deny the gospel message and give someone permission to sin against God and His Word with impunity.
So, before reading further, honestly answer the following questions: Are you ashamed of God’s Word? When you read certain parts of the Bible, do you see God as unloving? Do you feel that being tolerant of sin makes you more loving?
If you answered yes to any or all of the questions, do you not see that you have made yourself more righteous and loving than Holy God, your Creator? Hence, to counter Satan’s blindness and deception, it is essential to acknowledge your sins to God and receive His forgiveness.
Boldly Speak the Truth in Love
Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. 1 Corinthians 3:18-19
The wisdom of the world is not truth, and self-righteousness is not love. Furthermore, the world’s collective thinking constantly changes because it is based on the whims of the age. But the Bible says that God and His Word never change. So then, which one is 100% reliable and deserves your allegiance?
“I the Lord do not change,” says the Lord Almighty.” Malachi 3:6-7
God is misrepresented in the marketplace of ideas daily, so when Christ followers are intimidated into silence, the world’s secular values prevail. So, how did David, whom God called a man after His heart, respond when he heard Goliath taunting the armies of Israel? He saw it as a disgrace! Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:26
How was David able to be so bold? Because he knew God and had experienced His power many times in his life. Therefore, David was willing to stand alone against Goliath while the armies of Israel cowered in unbelief.
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled. “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:45, 47
God’s Truth is Not Hate Speech
The Bible is the inspired and revealed Word of God, yet too many Christians have allowed the foolishness of worldly thinking to cancel biblical truth. They remain silent because they believe the lie that speaking the truth is not loving. God’s Word says otherwise.
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15
God looks for people like David, who will depend on Him to courageously speak the truth in love through the power of the Holy Spirit. Because, above all, we are called to be Christ’s representatives to an unbelieving world that desperately needs to hear the gospel. Therefore, God gave us His Word so we will believe that Jesus alone is the way, the truth, and the life, and then love people enough to share this good news.
Jesus prays for His disciples: I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Make them holy by your truth; your word is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. John 17:14, 18
What passes for truth today is whatever most people agree with or whatever helps people fit in with the world. But neither political correctness nor tolerance is love, because both are devoid of truth. Love without the truth is not love.
There is No Love without the Truth
They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. 1 John 4:5-6
God, our Creator, gave us His Word so that we might know Him and His will. Throughout its pages, the Bible tells us what is right and wrong for our good. But sadly, many choose the broad path to destruction because the whole world is under the controlling lies of Satan, the prince of this world, and the true author of hate! There is no truth in the devil!
Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” Jesus answered: “For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37
There is an answer to the question, what is truth? Jesus is truth, and He is the Word, who speaks truth to those willing to hear. Thus, it is not surprising that spiritual battles always begin with an attack on the truth of God’s Word. For this reason, know what the Bible says and be prepared.
Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is right, who speaks the truth from His heart. Psalm 15:1-2
Share the Truth in Love
Both truth and love represent the character of God, so those who only talk about God’s love misrepresent Him. For example, in 1 Corinthians 13:6, God says that love does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Indeed, there is no love without the truth.
Jesus said: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:31-32
If you had a deadly illness, would you want to see a doctor who refused to tell you the truth, but instead only told you what you wanted to hear? You have a life-threatening disease, so would the doctor be loving to say that you were doing great? When you are on your deathbed, how will you feel to learn that the doctor had the cure for your disease but withheld it from you? Would you not wonder how the doctor could be so unloving?
Clearly, what passes for love in this world is deeply stained with self-interest. Like the doctor, we tell people what they are already programmed to hear from the world, but it is not what they need! Be deceived no longer! Because whenever you excuse wrongdoing instead of sharing the gospel, you keep someone from the life of Christ. And that carries a death sentence with eternal consequences!
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4
Speaking the Truth Will Cost You
Speaking the truth, even in love, will cost you. Jesus was perfect in every way, yet He was rejected and crucified on a cross because people loved darkness rather than the light of truth. And as followers of Jesus, we are not above our Lord.
Jesus said: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18
God’s Word tells us the truth of what believers in Christ can expect from unbelievers, so do not be surprised, but rather choose whom you will serve.
Jesus said: Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33
Jesus’ life was a living example of speaking the truth in love. He faced the same evil forces we do, yet Jesus boldly spoke truth to an unbelieving world. He told people that they were sinners, separated from God, and that He had come to save them. Jesus then demonstrated His love by dying on the cross for our sins so that we might repent and believe in His death and resurrection on our behalf.
Therefore, better than anyone, Jesus understands the difficulty of balancing truth and love, so He gave believers the gift of the Holy Spirit to help them. Hence, the next time God calls you to respond to worldly thinking with the truth, rely on Him to give you the right words to say.
How Love Speaks the Truth
God calls us to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ, who embodies both truth and love. Therefore, beware of being molded into the world’s image. Instead, with God’s help, think and act biblically when you interact with others, and you will reflect the glory of God.
And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel. Instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and not resentful. Those who oppose him, he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance, leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26
Love speaks the truth to those who want you to accommodate their sin. Therefore, wisely recognize that your silence signals approval.
Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:32
In a world full of lies, Christians who speak the truth in love shine like stars in a crooked and depraved generation as they hold out the Word of Life.
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3
Choose Today Whom You Will Serve
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10
Whether the truth of God’s Word is suppressed or willingly rejected, people take God’s place and rule with disastrous results. So, will you be one of the many Davids of our day who are willing to speak the truth in love? If so, talk to Him now.
Father in heaven, I have been self-interested, wanting the approval of others rather than your favor. Out of fear and unbelief, I have surrendered to the enemy’s thinking and have not stood firm in your Word. Thank you for hearing my prayer and for promising to help me speak the truth in love. Strengthen my faith and help me stand in the truth of your Word. Jesus is the Word, and it is in His name I pray, Amen.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. Ephesians 5:8-12
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Bible study for “Love Speaks the Truth“
Week 1: Genesis 2:21-24; Numbers 23:19; Deuteronomy 22:5; 32:4-5; 1 Samuel 17:23-24, 34-37, 45-47; Psalms 15:1-2; 86:11; 94:16; 112:7-8; 115:1; 119:1-2; 160; Proverbs 8:13, 32-36; 21:2-4; Ecclesiastes 3:7; Isaiah 5:20; 6:1-8; 41:13; 45:19; 59:12-1; 62:1;
Week 2: Jeremiah 9:3-6; 17:5-10; Lamentations 2:14; Ezekial 22:30; 33:1-20, 31; Daniel 12:3; Zechariah 8:16-17; Malachi 2:17; 3:6-7; Matthew 5:10-16; 10:32-42; 12:36-37; 16:26-27; 19:4-6; 24:35; Mark 1:14-15; 6:12-29; 8:34-38; Luke 5:31-32; 12:8-9, 11-12
Week 3: John 1:1-14; 3:15-21; 8:44; 14:6-7; 15:18-27; 17:14-18; 18:37; Romans 1:18-32; 4:7-8; 5:6-8; 6:1-4; 10:14-15, 17; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16; 3:18-19; 10:31-33; 13:5, 6; 2 Corinthians 5:15, 20-21; Galatians 1:10; 4:16; Ephesians 4:15-25; 5:8-21; 6:10-16
Week 4: Philippians 2:3-4, 14-16, 21; 3:9; Colossians 4:2-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; 2 Timothy 1:7-9; 2:14-16, 23-26; 3:12-17; 1 Peter 3:10-18; 4:11-19; 1 John 1:5-10; 2:1-6, 15-17, 20-22; 3:11-24; 4:4-6; 5:18-21; 2 John 1-11
Amen! Thanks for being unafraid to speak the truth and for your faithfulness to the Lord!
Thank you, Dennis. Let us continue to encourage one another in the body of Christ.
Such a timely message, thank you Suzanne. When a son comes home from college and turns his back on the Lord it is a fierce blow to the heart. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 reminds me not to quarrel but to be gentle in response. On my knees for His wisdom.
Oh Susan, I am so sorry! God of course knows and sees and He has given you a verse to hang on to. I will be praying that you stay connected to Him and not be blown off course. I am so grateful that God is able to make us stand when the strong winds of life blow hard.
I pray to be a David!
Thank you so much. Your study is excellent. We live in a culture where “Truth is the New Hate Speech.” We must be willing to speak God’s truth in love to the world.
Thank you, Edie, for taking the time to comment. You are absolutely right! I wrote the post with the Lord’s help to encourage Christians to stand firm and to stay faithful to God and to His Word. Knowing that you “get it” is an encouragement to me and I am sure to others who need to know that they are not alone.
Encourage me to know that God will guide me and will give me wisdom when speaking the truth in love. In order to speak the truth of God; we need first to know the truth, His word. This study definitely helps on that purpose. Suzanne you are a great example of how to be a David!
Thank you, Miriam, for the reminder that we must continually rely and depend on God to do His will. May God help us to know and believe the truth for ourselves and then with God’s help make the most of every opportunity.
Very good use of Gods Word Suzanne
Thank you, Bart.
This is probably one of the most challenging demands on followers in today’s society because there is so much fear in loss. Fear in being misunderstood, ridiculed, pulled away from. There is such a strong desire to speak truth but even in love, today’s worldly people want to twist it as hate. One thing this message reminds me of is that I can’t fear loss because without loss there was no resurrection. I pray God gives us the loving truth on our tongues and the peace and courage to overcome the fear of how the world may respond to that truth. May we pick up our cross and may the trail that is made from dragging its weight become a path for others to find Jesus too.
So beautifully said, Jennifer! Thank you for taking the time to comment.