Speaking the truth in love

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Speaking the truth in love

• Ephesians 415

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Speaking the truth in loveEphesians 415

• An Absolute
• The Truth

• Application
• In Love

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What is required to speak the truth in love?
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Requires Speaking

• With control, Jas. 32-5, 8
• Surveillance, deliberate (not rash), 119
• Exemplary speech, 1 Tim. 412 Titus 27-8
• Willing to speak when it is easier to be silent,
  Col. 42-6 Gal. 214 (Matt. 1815 Gal. 61) 2
  Tim. 42

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Requires the Truth

• What is truth? Jno. 1838
• Unconcealed, manifest
• Do not hide reality when we speak, Matt. 157-9
  Acts 53-4
• Ideal, genuine (right just), Prov. 1217

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Requires the Truth

• Speaking truth is a mark of the Christian, Matt.
  537 Col. 39-10 Phil. 48
• Speaking truth is based in the truth of the
  gospel, Jno. 1717 832

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Requires Love1 Cor. 136

• Address the need of the listener, Eph. 429 Acts
  2020 (Acts 17 16-17 Jas. 519-20)
• Love is not compromise
• Love does not set out to cause pain
• Pain might be a by-product, Prov. 276 (2 Cor.
  78-11)

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Requires Love1 Cor. 136

• Speak for right reason, 1 Cor. 16 14 Eph.
  414-16 (Gal. 214 416)
• Love regulates reason for speaking
• Why (motives) how (procedure) must be pure,
  Phil. 115-17 (1 Cor. 131, 4-7)

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Requires Love1 Cor. 136

• Speak effectively, Col. 46
• Truth is powerful, but when it is misused it is
  dangerous (Rom. 116 Gal. 16-7)
• Example of Nathan, 2 Sam. 121-15
• Dont misrepresent, Jno. 724
• To vindicate self, or support truth?

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Speaking the truth in love is expected
of Christians

• Be ready to speak (as needed)
• Speak the truth (without deception)
• Speak in love (for the good of hearers)