When the Truth Helps

Ever heard the expression, “sometimes the truth hurts”? The truth sometimes really does hurt, but that very same truth can be an enormous help. Such was the case this afternoon when I asked a precious friend of mine if she would be honest with me about something. Then I asked if she would share her heart about something very important to me – something very near and dear to my heart. I knew this would be hard for her. She has such a big, beautiful heart, that I can only imagine she would not have the easiest time with telling me the truth – the hard stuff, that is. She’s an encouraging person by nature, so to ask her to say stuff that might not be too encouraging could have been a big challenge. She did it anyway. And what definitely was hard truth to hear was also totally encouraging. But why?

Because when someone speaks the truth in love, it enables the listener to hear God speak through it. And that’s exactly what happened. By listening to her words, I knew that I need to take a careful look at what she had told me. And not only do I need to take that careful look, but I need to discern God’s voice in the truth that was spoken. Because there’s a difference between human truth (us humans being honest about what we feel and think) and God’s Truth. His Word, and His thoughts about stuff. Suffice it to say I am altogether certain that I have a big opportunity now to hear how God has used my friend’s heart and voice to show me some things I am quite certain He wants to show me.

The next time you think about withholding the truth, you might just want to think again. If you are clear that God is speaking through you, speak away. Sure, it takes boldness and courage to say the hard stuff. But when you know it’s God leading you, and you know God wants to speak through you, it’s worth taking the risk of how the listener might respond. After all, our obedience needs to be to the Lord. Just like my precious friend’s was this afternoon.

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” Ephesians 4:15 ESV

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