Articles
Speaking the Truth - 7.30.23 Bulletin
Truth: Part 2
Speaking the Truth
“Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another” (Ephesians 4.25)
Part one of the “Truth” series discussed our ability to know the absolute truth found in God’s word in a society where some think there is no absolute truth, and are instead guided falsely by feelings. After gaining knowledge of God’s word, the next step is to speak the truth. Keeping the truth to ourselves is of no benefit to the many that need to desperately hear it. Therefore, it is the responsibility of those who know the truth to be the vessel to get the message of the gospel to the world. Speaking the truth is the remedy for being led astray by the craftiness and deceitfulness of men (Ephesians 4.14-15).
Speaking the truth has a twofold purpose. First, to get the message of the gospel out into the world. In Matthew 28.18-20, when Jesus gave the great commission, He told the disciples to make more disciples by “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” This commission still applies to Christ’s disciples today. We must teach others about Jesus and His importance. Why He came to the earth. Why He died. How He is the only way. Why they need Him in their life. We must teach others about the commands of Jesus, and how to live in conformity with them. These answers can only be found in God’s word.
The second purpose is using truth as a means of correction, especially for correcting sin (2 Timothy 4.2). Each day we must measure our lives against what God’s word teaches. If we are falling short, then we need to makes changes. Speaking the truth is how we inform others of God’s standard of measurement. God’s word is the only source of absolute truth, making it the only standard by which mankind can measure their life by. Many instead measure their lives by the world’s standard, which will only lead them further from God. Success in the world’s eye will not lead to success in God’s eye. Speaking the truth is how we make people aware of this fact.
When speaking the truth we must let God’s word speak for itself. There is simplicity in the message of Christ (2 Corinthians 11.3), yet the message is powerful (Romans 1.16). God’s word does not need to be “doctored up” by man. The word alone has the power to convict and save the person who has a receptive heart willing to respond to the gospel’s calling. As long as we are speaking the truth, how we deliver the message is far less important than the message itself. Jesus alone is the answer. A message of truth does not need a eloquent speaker to deliver it (1 Corinthians 2.1).
Finally, speaking the truth must always be done in love, as Paul wrote “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4.15). Somebody once said “truth without love is brutality, but love without truth is hypocrisy.” In our efforts to speak the truth to others we must not do so for selfish gain, to win an argument, or to prove a point. The motive needs to be our love for God’s creation. Speaking the truth in love will help us grow closer to Christ. We must not let the outcome, or the receptiveness of the message deter us from delivering it, because how people respond is out of our control.
Opposition to God’s word is not a new phenomenon. Jesus himself faced it, and then his disciples. As Jesus was leaving them to return to heaven, I’m sure the disciples were afraid. But what does Jesus tell them in the great commission? “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28.20). Still today we can speak the truth with confidence in the face of opposition with the comfort of knowing that Jesus is with us always.
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