What Does It Mean To Speak In Love?

This morning I am asking you to think about what the Apostle Paul might have meant when he wrote these words to the Ephesian: to speak “the truth in love” so that “your words may give grace to those who hear.”

I ask you to think about this because, in many ways, it is a request that sums up all of the lessons that Jesus came to teach us about living in peace and grace with each other.  

I am thinking that it might be helpful to me, and others, if I had other perspectives than my own. 

So I invite you to reflect on:  What would it look like or feel like, to you, to practice this simple request?  And how do you think it would change the dynamics of the environment in which you live?

Now remember, this is not just when everything is  nice and going well.  This would also be in tough time, or in very present conflict.  Conflict like family feuds, or with co-workers, or as we are all facing, political advertising for a coming election, or in social settings.

But as in all of my wondering, I appreciate it when folks keep the question on a personal level. That is, on how and what it would be for you to speak in love bring grace to those who hear your words. Not pointing fingers at the behavior of others.

We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love……Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. (Eph. 4:14-16 & 29)