Speak
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. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Ephesians 4:15-16 (NLT)
When I trusted my life to Jesus, I became a part of the body of Christ. Though it’s not hard for me to accept that I’m a member of the body of Christ, it’s sometimes challenging for me to see how important my role is.
This passage says that as we speak the truth in love, we’ll grow more like Jesus. I believe speaking the truth includes sharing the truth of our experience with Christ. This involves sharing the initial story of how we came to place our faith in Jesus as well as the ongoing story of our daily interaction with Christ through the Bible and prayer. No one else is as intimately acquainted with my experience with Christ as I am, so I’m the one most qualified to share that story. Jesus said in John 14:6 that He is the truth, so including Him or His perspective in any situation helps me be assured of speaking the truth.
Hearing others speak the truth of their experience with Christ also helps me become more like Jesus. As I hear how God is working in others, I find encouragement that God can work in me, and I sense a bond with that person that is strengthened by the Spirit of God.
As each person, or part of the body, shares with others the truth of their experience with Christ, and as we serve one another, the Bible says we help the other parts of the body to be healthy, growing and full of love. I believe health is developed when we receive the nutrition of God’s Word through the Bible, prayer and other believers. That health is evidenced by a servant attitude that is becoming more like Jesus. Growth is shown by the increasing evidence of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Ultimately, we see the benefits of growth as we see love demonstrated through us.
Speaking your truth is more than just sharing your opinion or experience. The way to find truth and speak truth is to include the Spirit of God in our experience.
Application: Read Ephesians 4:15-16 and ask God what He is saying. Share with a friend what you believe God is saying to you.
Prayer: Father, give me Your perspective so I can know the truth. Give me the courage to share what You have shown me with someone else.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?