VOW: Speaking the Truth in Love

Verse of the Week

“Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.”
Ephesians 4:15 NLT

I just want to talk about the Bible all the time. My sister, Lisa, (who started OnScripture) and I do this most days. Blogging has become an outlet for sharing with others about God’s Word. But, I find that I am sometimes unsure just how to broach and discuss subjects that are critically important for people to hear, but are controversial these days. I pray that Yehovah will give me courage and grace to write what He desires me to write. 

It is increasingly intimidating to really speak Truth today—especially regarding controversial things—because the backlash from culture is swift and unrelenting. But if we bow to culture we become part of the problem, do we not?

I ask you, is it loving to fail to warn someone to stop driving down a road where you know the bridge is out just around the corner? No! It would be the cruelest of wrongs to knowingly send someone to injury or death because you didn’t think it was your place to say anything, or you were afraid they wouldn’t believe you or would be offended by your attempt to impede their progress? Yet, don’t we do that very thing by not warning people that we know are going down spiritual paths of destruction? Likewise, it is unloving to not teach your children to look both ways before crossing the street. So too, it is unloving to not warn people (Christian and non-Christian, alike) of the danger of embracing worldly ways over Godly ways.

The departure from the faith that I see happening rampantly in the Church as a whole disturbs me greatly. It has been a particular burden of mine for many years, since I first became aware of the emergent church movement. This has now evolved into progressive Christianity which often leads to a complete departure from the faith for many—even prominent church leaders—who continue to spread their new brand of non-Christianity to a Church that has become increasingly seeker sensitive, feelings oriented, worldly, and accepting/embracing of sin.

The call to holiness has gripped me. Because of it, I am constantly aware of my own unholiness and my failure to strive for godliness and the holiness of Yehovah. I am mortified by the sinfulness of my youth and of my frequent sin in not controlling my tongue. Forgive me afresh, Jesus!

Jesus redeems even the worst of sinners, but He absolutely does not redeem their sins. By this I mean that when Jesus forgives our sins and purifies us, He is NOT purifying the sins. He is just freeing us from having to pay the penalty for the sin. Sin is still sin.

Jesus redeems pagans, but He will not redeem paganism. Much of christendom is so blinded to what paganism even is that they are in danger of embracing it fully. (Examples currently seen in many churches as well as in the lives of many Christians are: enneagram, yoga, astrology, horoscopes, mindfulness, contemplative prayer, meditation, “Christian” tarot cards (Whaaaaat???), etc.)

When you see these things being practiced by your Christian friends or being embraced by your church, be bold and put Ephesians 4:15 into practice.

Live it out this week

Take time today and this week to examine your beliefs about Jesus and the Gospel and see if they line up with what the Word of God says rather than what makes you “feel good” or is trending on social media.

Determine to walk according to God’s will revealed in His Word and not to approve those things which are contrary to His will.

Are there people in your life who are headed down the wrong path? Ask the Father to give you courage and opportunity to speak the truth to them.

Read the blogposts “Redeeming Paganism,” “Redeeming Enneagram,” and “Acceptable Meditation” for more about how paganism is infiltrating the Church as well as individual Christian’s lives.

Spread God’s love by speaking Truth to those around you. His Word is Truth!

Prayer

Oh, God, our Father, sanctify and cleanse our hearts and minds with the washing of water by the Word (Ephesians 5:26). Grant us grace to “lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save” our souls (James 1:21). May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, oh, LORD, our Rock and our Redeemer (Psalm 19:14). In Jesus’ name, Amen!

---

If this post has touched you or resonated with you, please consider liking, commenting, and sharing it with a friend.

---

Featured image via Canva Pro