Ephesians 4:15
“but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ.”
When I hear the phrase, speaking the truth, faces of those I've known come to mind. They aren't kind people, but those that delight in speaking the truth with hurtful intentions. Their defense is, "I'm just being truthful". Paul qualifies this with the descriptor, "in love". This is quite different.
The hurtful truth teller rarely speaks of important issues, but more about petty things. They thrive on unsettling people. They may even do it in a joke or with a smile. While Paul wouldn't step on toes unless it was important. It would be surprising, as the deliverer is known as someone caring.
Jesus boiled the expectations of God into two commandments, love God and love people. To those who followed Him, Jesus was a safe person. Isaiah 42:3 says, "A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice." The bruised reed is in need of repair. Most would miss it and just go haphazardly through the brush flattening all in the path. Jesus sees the damaged reed and would assist, maybe splinting it. Maybe block off the area, so others wouldn't come by and crush it.
We are to be the same. Do we see the bruised reeds? True, we can't help everyone, but He will put some in our path that we are to help. Going back to today's verse, we are to speak the truth in love.
This phrase makes me a little uncomfortable. We are to make the truth known, but in love. Apparently the bruised reed was due to some error and us pointing it out will help. It may be difficult to say. We risk offending. It's for the purpose of helping. We bath all of this in prayer. Sometimes it's in the moment and we breathe up a prayer. Often it's, "Lord, give me courage to speak, but please stop me if I should be quiet."
Jesus spoke the truth to the woman at the well. She was there in the heat of the day when few people go there. She had much shame and wanted to avoid snide comments. Jesus tried to be very unthreatening by asking for help, "Can I have a drink?" This put her in charge, He gave her the power. He saw her as a bruised reed. Almost like a frightened kitten who is easily spooked. He then used the topic of thirst to make her aware of her thirst, living water. There was no offense in His words.
He was a little direct deeper in their conversation, but only because she was being snarky (I have no husband). He said, "You've had many husbands..." This wasn't to shame her, but to let her see His significance. He was the Christ. This was it. She believed Him and started to ask all sorts of God questions. The door was open, she ran right in. She then ran to get others to hear Him. This was speaking the truth in love.
Lord, give us wisdom to see the hurting and give us the words to say.