Tag WORDS

Speaking the truth in Love

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Demonstrating Love Through Our Speech

The way we speak reveals the condition of our hearts and serves as a powerful expression of love. Scripture, particularly Ephesians, provides a blueprint for how our words can reflect Christ’s love, fostering unity, encouragement, and grace. By aligning our speech with biblical principles, we demonstrate love that honors God and uplifts others.

Seasoned with Salt; Colossians 4:6 urges believers to let their speech be “always full of grace, seasoned with salt,” so that they know how to answer everyone (“seasoned with salt” suggesting speech that is gracious, wise, and impactful, enhancing conversations like salt enhances food). Similarly, James 3:17 describes wisdom from above as pure, peace-loving, and gentle. Words seasoned with salt are purposeful, preserving truth and adding value to conversations. They avoid blandness or harshness, striking a balance that reflects thoughtfulness and care. When our speech is seasoned with grace, it becomes a tool to point others to Christ, making our interactions meaningful and impactful.

Pleasant, Not Profane; Ephesians 5:4 warns against “filthiness, foolish talk, or crude joking,” which are out of place for those who follow Christ. Instead, our words should be pleasant, reflecting gratitude and reverence. Filthy or foolish speech tears down, while pleasant words build up and create an atmosphere of love. Avoiding foul language doesn’t mean stifling humor or joy but choosing words that align with God’s holiness. Pleasant speech invites others into a space of dignity and respect, mirroring the love Christ shows us.

Edifying, Empathetic, & Encouraging; Ephesians 4:29 instructs, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Edifying means Building up or strengthening others spiritually). Romans 14:19 tells us to pursue peace and mutual edification, while Colossians 3:16 encourages teaching and admonishing one another with wisdom. Hebrews 10:24-25 emphasizes spurring one another toward love and good works. Empathetic and encouraging speech listens deeply, validates feelings, and inspires growth. It puts others’ needs above our own, fostering community and reflecting Christ’s sacrificial love.

Speaking Truth in Love; Ephesians 4:15 and 4:25 highlight the importance of speaking truth in love, rooted in agape type (love selfless, unconditional love). Truth without love can wound, while love without truth can enable. Speaking truth in love requires humility and courage, ensuring our words are honest yet delivered with kindness. This balance builds trust and strengthens relationships, as we lovingly correct or guide others toward God’s truth. Loving speech prioritizes the other person’s spiritual growth, even when it’s uncomfortable, because it seeks their ultimate good.

Kindness in Speech; Ephesians 4:32 tells us to be kind and compassionate, forgiving one another as God forgave us. James 1:26 warns that those who fail to bridle their tongues deceive themselves, and Colossians 3:12-13 emphasizes clothing ourselves with kindness and patience. Kind words diffuse conflict, heal wounds, and demonstrate grace. They reflect a heart transformed by Christ, choosing gentleness over harshness and forgiveness over bitterness. Kindness in speech is a daily practice of love, creating a ripple effect of grace in our interactions.

agape

The Power of the Tongue

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The way we speak to and about each other carries significant weight in shaping our relationships. Scripture offers guidance on this topic.

Speak Truthfully: The foundation of all godly communication is truth. Proverbs 12:22 tells us, “Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.” Truthfulness honors God and fosters trust between people. Ephesians 4:25 reinforces this, saying, “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” The bond between believers, and even in families or friendships, grows strongest when it is built on honesty.

Truth-telling, however, must go hand in hand with wisdom. We are not to speak everything on our minds recklessly but what is helpful and necessary. Some have excused their rudeness by saying, “I told the truth.” Proverbs 15:28 says, “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.” Speaking truth without care can do harm, but truth delivered thoughtfully builds others up.

Assume the Best in Others: Too often, we are quick to judge motives, which leads to misunderstanding and division. We ought to give others the benefit of the doubt. Colossians 3:12-13 encourages, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any.” Assuming the best about someone promotes unity, while assuming the worst can lead to resentment. Proverbs 18:13 reminds us, “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Taking time to understand is a reflection of wisdom and humility.

Speak Lovingly: Speaking the truth without love can damage relationships. Ephesians 4:15 instructs us to be “speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” When we speak lovingly, we are using our words to edify and encourage rather than tear down.

Proverbs 16:24 describes the power of loving words: “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” The way we say something can have a profound impact. Loving speech heals, uplifts, and brings peace to those who hear it.

Speak Kindly: Kindness should be evident in the way we communicate. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Graceful speech is kind, considerate, and thoughtful, seeking to bless others rather than cause harm.

Proverbs 15:1 underscores the power of kind words, noting, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” When we speak kindly, we can defuse tension, ease conflict, and promote harmony. It is often through a gentle, kind word that we can turn situations around and make peace where there was previously strife.

The Bible clearly teaches that our speech matters. These principles, when applied, strengthen relationships and reflect our relationship in Christ. In a world where words are often used to divide, we have the opportunity to use ours to build others up, promote unity, and spread the love of God.

Agape,

Spencer

Spencer is an evangelist for the Franklin & Juniper St church of Christ in Borger Texas. We invite you to visit with us to learn about what God wants for our lives.

Why I Read the BIBLE #5

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TO BE WISE UNTO ETERNAL LIFE.

John 6:68

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

2Tim 3:15

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

1John 5:13

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

John 20:31

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

John 17:20

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

That’s why I read the Bible. To be Wise unto ETERNAL Life.

Let’s read the bible through in 2023

Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.

If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.