Speaking The Truth In Love! When we find out that someone we love is doing something that will hurt themselves and others, what are we to do? Are we to remain silent not wanting to confront our loved one because we don’t want to hurt them or alienate them?
Beloved, love always must speak the truth, no matter how hurtful! Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Speaking harsh truth isn’t easy, especially when it’s met with anger, or even with hurt! It would be much easier not to say a word!
But how would we feel when we see our loved one devastated by the things they have done, and more importantly, what will we say when we stand before God and He asks — Why did you not say anything? I brought this thing to light for you to speak truth, and yet you said nothing.
2 Corinthians 5:10-11 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Knowing therefore the terror of the LORD, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
The LORD told Ezekiel to speak to His people and warn them — And He said to speak whether or not they listened! Ezekiel 2:3-7 And He said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against Me:
They and their fathers have transgressed against Me, even unto this very day. For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD GOD.
And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
And thou shalt speak My Words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.
Ezekiel also speaks about the consequences of not speaking to warn, and not only are they serious for the other person, but even more so for the one who remained silent!
Ezekiel 3:17-21 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the Word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me.
When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered;
But his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
We live in a world that’s motto is live and let live! If we as children of God lived by that motto, knowing what we know are the consequences of sin, we would really be saying — Live and let die!
Love must always speak the truth! Speaking the truth to our loved one is what they need most, not acceptance of their sin! Speaking the truth demonstrates the depth of our love!
Jeremiah spoke Words of warning, with many tears, to a sinful, and rebellious people! So much so that he is often referred to as the weeping prophet!
Jeremiah 1:4-9 Then the Word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
[6] Then said I, Ah, LORD GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put My Words in thy mouth.
So many others throughout the Word of God were called to speak the Words God told them to speak! They did so even in the face of rejection, hate, and sometimes death!
Beloved, do you really love your loved ones, and others in your life? If you see them walking in sin — Speak the truth in love! #EyesOnHim
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