1. Speaking the truth in love Ephesians 4:15

2. 2 Speaking the truth in love Ephesians 4:15 An Absolute The Truth An Absolute The Truth Application In Love Application

3. 3 What is required to speak the truth in love?

4. 4 Requires Speaking With control, Jas. 3:2-5, 8With control, Jas. 3:2-5, 8 –Surveillance, deliberate (not rash), 1:19 –Exemplary speech, 1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7-8 Willing to speak when it is easier to be silent, Col. 4:2-6; Gal. 2:14 (Matt. 18:15; Gal. 6:1); 2 Tim. 4:2Willing to speak when it is easier to be silent, Col. 4:2-6; Gal. 2:14 (Matt. 18:15; Gal. 6:1); 2 Tim. 4:2 With control, Jas. 3:2-5, 8With control, Jas. 3:2-5, 8 –Surveillance, deliberate (not rash), 1:19 –Exemplary speech, 1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7-8 Willing to speak when it is easier to be silent, Col. 4:2-6; Gal. 2:14 (Matt. 18:15; Gal. 6:1); 2 Tim. 4:2Willing to speak when it is easier to be silent, Col. 4:2-6; Gal. 2:14 (Matt. 18:15; Gal. 6:1); 2 Tim. 4:2

5. 5 Requires the Truth “What is truth?” Jno. 18:38“What is truth?” Jno. 18:38 –“Unconcealed, manifest” –Do not hide reality when we speak, Matt. 15:7-9; Acts 5:3-4 –Ideal, genuine (right & just), Prov. 12:17 “What is truth?” Jno. 18:38“What is truth?” Jno. 18:38 –“Unconcealed, manifest” –Do not hide reality when we speak, Matt. 15:7-9; Acts 5:3-4 –Ideal, genuine (right & just), Prov. 12:17

6. 6 Requires the Truth Speaking truth is a mark of the Christian, Matt. 5:37; Col. 3:9- 10; Phil. 4:8Speaking truth is a mark of the Christian, Matt. 5:37; Col. 3:9- 10; Phil. 4:8 Speaking truth is based in “the truth” of the gospel, Jno. 17:17; 8:32Speaking truth is based in “the truth” of the gospel, Jno. 17:17; 8:32 Speaking truth is a mark of the Christian, Matt. 5:37; Col. 3:9- 10; Phil. 4:8Speaking truth is a mark of the Christian, Matt. 5:37; Col. 3:9- 10; Phil. 4:8 Speaking truth is based in “the truth” of the gospel, Jno. 17:17; 8:32Speaking truth is based in “the truth” of the gospel, Jno. 17:17; 8:32

7. 7 Requires Love 1 Cor. 13:6 Address the need of the listener, Eph. 4:29; Acts 20:20 (Acts 17: 16-17; Jas. 5:19-20)Address the need of the listener, Eph. 4:29; Acts 20:20 (Acts 17: 16-17; Jas. 5:19-20) –Love is not compromise –Love does not set out to cause pain –Pain might be a by-product, Prov. 27:6 (2 Cor. 7:8-11) Address the need of the listener, Eph. 4:29; Acts 20:20 (Acts 17: 16-17; Jas. 5:19-20)Address the need of the listener, Eph. 4:29; Acts 20:20 (Acts 17: 16-17; Jas. 5:19-20) –Love is not compromise –Love does not set out to cause pain –Pain might be a by-product, Prov. 27:6 (2 Cor. 7:8-11)

8. 8 Speak for right reason, 1 Cor. 16: 14; Eph. 4:14-16 (Gal. 2:14; 4:16)Speak for right reason, 1 Cor. 16: 14; Eph. 4:14-16 (Gal. 2:14; 4:16) –Love regulates reason for speaking –Why (motives) & how (procedure) must be pure, Phil. 1:15-17 (1 Cor. 13:1, 4-7) Speak for right reason, 1 Cor. 16: 14; Eph. 4:14-16 (Gal. 2:14; 4:16)Speak for right reason, 1 Cor. 16: 14; Eph. 4:14-16 (Gal. 2:14; 4:16) –Love regulates reason for speaking –Why (motives) & how (procedure) must be pure, Phil. 1:15-17 (1 Cor. 13:1, 4-7) Requires Love 1 Cor. 13:6

9. 9 Speak effectively, Col. 4:6Speak effectively, Col. 4:6 –Truth is powerful, but when it is misused it is dangerous (Rom. 1:16; Gal. 1:6-7) Example of Nathan, 2 Sam. 12:1-15Example of Nathan, 2 Sam. 12:1-15 Don’t misrepresent, Jno. 7:24Don’t misrepresent, Jno. 7:24 To vindicate self, or support truth?To vindicate self, or support truth? Speak effectively, Col. 4:6Speak effectively, Col. 4:6 –Truth is powerful, but when it is misused it is dangerous (Rom. 1:16; Gal. 1:6-7) Example of Nathan, 2 Sam. 12:1-15Example of Nathan, 2 Sam. 12:1-15 Don’t misrepresent, Jno. 7:24Don’t misrepresent, Jno. 7:24 To vindicate self, or support truth?To vindicate self, or support truth? Requires Love 1 Cor. 13:6

10. 10 Speaking the truth in love is expected of Christians Be ready to speak (as needed)Be ready to speak (as needed) Speak the truth (without deception)Speak the truth (without deception) Speak in love (for the good of hearers)Speak in love (for the good of hearers) Be ready to speak (as needed)Be ready to speak (as needed) Speak the truth (without deception)Speak the truth (without deception) Speak in love (for the good of hearers)Speak in love (for the good of hearers)