Telling The Truth 3

Hello Everyone,

I believe that God would say that we should “TELL THE TRUTH LOVINGLY”.
Eph 4:15 “speaking the truth in love” Don't use the truth as a club. Don't beat people over the head with the truth.

Eph. 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

If you want to help somebody change you've got to remember two things:
1. People change easier and people change faster when you speak the truth in a spirit of love.
2. People always perceive truth without love as an attack.

You must speak the truth in love.

How do I know if I'm speaking the truth in love? Ask yourself the question, who am I trying to benefit from this? Am I trying to change them so things will be easier on me? Or am I really sharing this with the friend or loved one because I really care about them and want them to be the best they can be.

If I'm doing it for their benefit then that's speaking the truth in love.
"Speak only [circle "only"] what is helpful for building others up [not me] according to their needs [not my needs], that it may benefit those who listen [not that it may benefit me]."

When we tell the truth we should make every effort to “TELL THE TRUTH TACTFULLY”.

Whenever you have a need to share a tough truth the solution is never deception. It is tact not deception. The truth sets you free. But when you Speak the truth you must speak it completely, consistently, lovingly, and tactfully.

Pr. 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

You have an option with your words: you can either hurt people or you can heal them.

You can develop people or you can destroy them. You can build them up or you can tear them down. You can delight or you can devastate. Your words have tremendous power.

If you think about it, emotional wounds last longer than physical wounds. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is not true. You need to share with tact.

When you speak the truth in love and with tact you can learn how to make a point without making an enemy. That's very important in saving your marriage, your relationship with your children, with people you work with.

Prov. 16:23 A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction Circle "wise". Contemplate before you communicate. Think it through. Put your mind in gear before you put your mouth in gear.

I suggest that you plan your presentation. How can I introduce this in the best way? Choose the right time. Timing is everything.
Don't lay it on them as they're going to sleep at night. Don't do it when they're tired, fatigued, hurried. Find the proper time to deal with the truth honestly.

If you'll do these four things, the Bible says you will begin to be an honest person. Speak the truth completely, consistently, lovingly and tactfully.

The problem is we don't do that. Why don't we do that?
Matthew 12:34 …For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Jesus is saying the real problem is not my mouth but my heart.
What's coming out of my mouth, these lies, are really an indication of what's inside of me. It's not what comes out that matters it's what's inside of me.

Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. The heart of the issue when it comes to lying is an issue of the heart.

This is the problem. If I am going to become a person of integrity, if
I'm going to become an honest person, I have to deal, not with my lips, I have to deal with what motivates me to lie.

All For Jesus
Phil