Speak the Truth in Love...

(Ephesians 4:15) “But speaking the truth in love,”

Truth is when we understand all the facts about a particular subject and then we can make an informed decision. We will not be deceived, into doing something that we think may be the right decision, in other words truth corresponds to fact or reality and alleviates all deception. Truth cannot attempt to deceive by falsehood. The antonym of truth is dishonesty, and the father of lies is the devil. God is truth and He is perfect in truth, in other words He cannot lie, in fact it is impossible for Him to lie. “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:” (Hebrews 6:18)

Can God do anything? The very first reaction we have when we answer that question is to say yes He can, but that would be inaccurate. Can God Lie? Absolutely not! The text tells us it is impossible for God to lie. He could never choose to lie, as He would then act outside of His character and this He cannot and will not do. If God worshiped another god beside Himself it would make Him an idolater as He is the only true God.

We need to understand the severity of this fact, God can never lie, and so when He said He will see us through unto the end, faith must believe that He will accomplish all He has set out to do. “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” (Hebrews 3:6)

As believers we better believe this with all our hearts as fact that can only ever be true.

The devil is the exact opposite in character; this is what the Lord Jesus had to say about Him in the gospel of John when addressing those who claimed the right to salvation because of a promise to Abraham their father, they were self-righteous but far from the truth, the Lord Jesus said: “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)

He is full of deception and “deceit” is his middle name. He will often use half truths to lure the weak, and he has often used men’s weaknesses to bring down the strong. I suppose one of his greatest tools must be pride. We know that God resists the proud but He gives grace to the humble. Men are full of pride; even saved men are often lured into this trap. Brothers use scripture against one another looking to be exalted and find favour as the victor in a particular point. Already I have hit a sore point I can actually sense the opposition. Let me then prove my point; Paul and Barnabas worked alongside preaching the gospel and many were converted and followed them.

“And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.” (Act 13:43)

These two brothers in Christ worked side by side until one day a difference split them, it had such an effect on both brothers that they actually parted company.

“And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are." Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other.” (Act 15:36-39)

I understand that this disagreement was not over doctrine, but we must all agree that these two wills opposed another, which resulted in a split in what was once a harmonious relationship of unity for the sake of the gospel. Pride had its part to play. The tragedy of it all was where this dispute left the babes in Christ; it affected God’s precious flock. How often I have seen this exact same thing happening amongst Christian organisations today. Do we take proving a truth to the extent of division amongst believers too far? I will leave you to answer that question, you decide. I do not speak about blatant false doctrine and all the roving wolves of today that pretend to be sheep, drinking the blood of God’s precious saints, I have no time for them! They will face the wrath of God on judgment day; they will receive their portion in the Lake of Fire. However, we all have a measure of pride, which must be chiselled out of the heart of every believer; God will always resist the proud but give grace to the humble. His word is clear on this fact; there is no wiggle room here my brothers.

The concern I have for us is seen clearly with the example Paul raises with the church at Corinth. “For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not being merely human?” (1Corinthians 3:4)

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (1Corinthians 3:6-7)

It is clear to see what happens when people begin to side with preachers, there focus shifts from their first love, from God and onto man, this is not good and it will affect our walk with the Lord. We must always remember our first love, He alone must receive all our attention, He alone is worthy of all our consideration.

Let us not be ignorant of the devils devices! Even to my “Amil” (amillennialism) brothers if Satan is already bound you must conclude that pride still plays a serious role amongst believers; let us then arm ourselves against this evil.

May God give us strength to humble ourselves and find forgiveness in our hearts to forgive those who have trespassed against us, may He begin to stir all His true children with a sincere desire to lock hands with one another as we enter into the final stretch of this our race here on earth before the return of our great Saviour, even Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let us always speak the truth one to another but always in the bonds of love. If we are children of God, then we are in the same family and have the same Father, let us treat one another as our own, let us love with brotherly love.

Signing off

Tyrone