SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE

Passage: Ephesians 4:14-16

Key verse: 15

NIV

14 Then we will no longer be infants,(A) tossed back and forth by the waves,(B) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.(C) 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love,(D) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,(E) that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows(F) and builds itself up(G) in love,(H) as each part does its work.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

14 so that we may no longer be children, (A)tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in (B)deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, (C)speaking the truth in love, we are to (D)grow up in every way into him who is (E)the head, into Christ, 16 (F)from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, (G)when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. No longer tossed back and forth (14)

An infant in Christ is moved by every convincing speaker; he sometimes becomes confused by the deceitful scheming of crafty men who are trying to destroy the work of God. So it is necessary that each believer grows up to maturity in Christ. Peter says that newborn babies crave pure spiritual milk so that by it they may grow up (1Pe 2:2). That milk is God's word. We must study the Bible and obey its teachings. This is how we can grow to maturity in Christ.

2. Speaking the truth in love (15-16)

A mature Christian is a growing Christian. He loves truth; he can discern what is true and what is false. Sometimes the truth hurts. But if we speak the truth in love, the body of Christ will be built up in faith, in love for Jesus and in love for one another. Deceitful lies do not build up--they tear down. We must grow up into Christ the Head. When we are connected to the Head, we are held together by him. Then we are mutually built up in love as each part does its work.

Prayer: Lord, help me to learn to speak the truth in love, so that I may build up your people.

One Word: Speak the truth in love