Speaking the truth in love may be one of the most misapplied biblical injunctions of our day. We use it to justify blunt commentary and harsh judgment, claiming a motive of love for God or the recipient. Too often, though, we’re just sidestepping kindness or humility.
In one of his letters to early Christians, Paul wrote, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone" (Col. 4:6). Yet rhetoric―the art of persuasion―has been largely ignored by most Christians today.
Jesus himself was not primarily concerned with conforming his words to a hearer’s ears; rather, Jesus was concerned with conforming his words to the eternal truth of God.
Matthew 15:10-11 "Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. 'Listen,' he said, 'and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.'”
Ephesians 4:15 "Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ."
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