If the truth
hurts, do you tell the truth? In the passage we read from Ephesians we
are encouraged to speak the truth to one another
That is clearly
about being honest, and not deceiving each other. The reason that we should
speak the truth to each other, says Paul is that we belong to each other;
indeed more than that: we are members of one another. I take this to
include the idea that Christian believers are all members of the one body of
Christ and should be building each other up in truth and love. As the various
parts of the body depend upon one another, so we should be open and honest with
each other for the effective functioning of the whole body for the good of all.
The body cannot function well if the various parts send false messages to each
other. As with a physical human body, it is as if when the hand is moving to
pick up something the eye were to send a message to the hand that it over to
the left when it is fact to the right.
Co-ordination or working together
requires all the parts, in any kind of body or organization, to receive
reliable information from each other and about each other. Families don't work
well if people deceive each other and there is lack of trust, and neither does
human society in general, so putting away falsehood will generally make
things go better. There is a general human value in speaking the truth, as well
as the value to Christians of the way our fellowship works to encourage
spiritual growth.
It was in the
context of growing to maturity in the faith that Paul used the well known and
often quoted phrase speaking the truth in love.
- (Ephesians 4:15-16) But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, {16} from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love.
Therefore, we must put away lies and we must speak the truth in love. We must make sure the content
of our speech is Christ-honoring. Therefore the content of our speech
should always be truthful and honest: including being encouraging at
times and confrontational at times. Truthful speech encourages
godliness and obedience and seeks to plead for more growth.
To be continued........
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