Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love -- I Corinthians 16:13-14
I wonder how many of us would be honest enough to confess that our speech sometimes gets us in trouble? As Christ-followers, we are commanded to speak the truth (Zechariah8:16) but even speaking the truth may cause us problems. Galatians 4:16
When speaking with people we should always tell the truth but our speech must be motivated by love Ephesians 4:15 That sounds simple and sometimes it is but sometimes it can be very uncomfortable. When someone has strayed from the faith, we must confront them with truth but in love. James 5:20
It is rare to find a church or small group who have the courage to speak the truth in love even when it's hard. Rarer still is the person who can accept the truth without being offended.
In 1729, Oxford students John and Charles Wesley began the Holy Club, a name given by their fellow collegians in mockery of their emphasis on devotions, was the first sign of what later became Methodism. One of the major tenets of this gathering was a strict accountability of their Christian lifestyle, systematically brought all their lives under strict review.
We need to speak the truth but always in a spirit of love. "Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you." Ephesians 4:28
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