"But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is our head, even Christ." Ephesians 4:15
Walking in the Light exposes darkness. Truth exposes lies. But this doesn’t give us permission to expose other’s sin to fellow believers. Because it is the truth doesn’t make it acceptable. It is nothing more than gossip which is an abomination before God. However, when speaking the truth inlove the result is growing more like Christ for both parties.
When we reveal another person’s faults or weaknesses to others, is it subconsciously making us feel superior in some way? May I say that "feeling" is a lie. Putting someone else down doesn’t lift us up in any way. Quite the opposite is true. At the same time, because someone else is lifted up for achievement, or beauty doesn’t take away or diminish the value of another person any way, in reality. We are what we are set apart, or incorporated together in assembly.
When 50 beauty contestants have competed in a beauty pageant and only one beauty queen has been crowned — it doesn’t make the other 49 any less than they were when the pageant is over. They may "feel" lesser than, but it doesn’t make it true, or a reality. The same is true of 50 runners competing in a race. When the fastest runner wins the other 49 have the same ability before or after the race.
When we know who we are and our identity is in Christ, other people’s opinions and judgement still hurt, but they don’t define us. Within the body of Christ may we set the example Christ intended. The Bible is full of instruction concerning our speech. We are either speaking life or death. When we speak God’s truth as His Spirit leads, we all grow up in all aspects into Him, the head of His body. When we speak our own truth, even though our words may be true, it is often divisive and malicious causing the speaker and the hearer to grieve the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:30-32 states:
"Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
No one says it better than God Himself. Let us heed the Words of Life.
In His love.
Teresa Roberts
Masterpiece Fitness
276-237-6680
"Joyful, Joyful, we adore You, / God of glory, Lord of Love; / Hearts unfold like flowers before you, / opening to the Sun above." (Henry Van Dyke, 1907)
(Photos taken from home)
