“People enjoy giving good advice. Saying the right word at the right time is so pleasing… A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger, but an unkind answer will cause more anger… But we have turned away from secret and shameful ways. We use no trickery, and we do not change the teaching of God. We teach the truth plainly, showing everyone who we are. Then they can know in their hearts what kind of people we are in God’s sight… No! Speaking the truth with love, we will grow up in every way into Christ, who is the head.”

Proverbs 15:23,1; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Ephesians 4:15

Speaking and responding in truth and love is challenging

How should we respond?

Speaking and responding in truth and love is a very narrow path to walk.

You can easily slide in either direction and provide the enemy an opportunity to damage the relationship.

Staying in touch with Father God for guidance and wisdom is the only way to keep a sure footing. Relationships are strengthened or destroyed by truth or lies, by love or self-righteousness.

Walk softly but always walk.

Not to respond is not a safe place. It is a place of cowardice and eventual destruction as well.

However, an immediate response is not always necessary. Respond carefully after gaining wisdom and understanding making sure your motives are pure and covered in love.

Your turn …

Take an inventory and with God identify areas where He can help you to respond in truth  … to respond in love.

Identify where you need a redo.

Now make a plan, set a date, then do it.

For circumstances needing that initial response, also, make a plan and set a date.  Now, do it.

Take some moments to be quiet and pray,

“Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Psalm 19:13-14

“Now that your obedience to the truth has purified your souls, you can have true love for your Christian brothers and sisters. So love each other deeply with all your heart… My children, we should love people not only with words and talk but by our actions and true caring.”

1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:18

Father God adores you!

How to do this as a weekly Bible study

Day One: Experience
Read the entire devotion. Do any verses stand out to you? If so, write it down and work on memorizing it over the week. I personally love the app “Scripture Typer.”

Day Two: Observe & Read
Chain. Look up and chain verses (For example on how to chain verses, see this video).

Day Three: Interpret
Read through the chain of verses starting with the first one. What do they say? Do you notice when it says “never” or “always” or “If, but, however, therefore, all…..”

Day Four: Application
Do “Your turn” and make a list of people that God has put on your heart when you read this.

Day Five: Testify
Who in your life, right now, can you share this with? There is somebody in your life that needs to hear this. Close your eyes. What name came to mind?

 

Speaking and responding in truth and love is challenging