Date: 02-20–15
The Big Idea: Calling it as it is in Love builds trust and aids in repairing those broken walls fractured relationships.
My Thoughts: There is a saying I have lived by most of my life: “Tell me the truth: Hurt me once; lie to me: Hurt me twice.” I’m going to find out the truth, so just let me hear it from you straight up in Love. But have you discovered that if you are lie to, not only will the truth hurt when you discover it, but the breach of confidence will only double the hurt? I have….
Lifestyle worshiper, because a servant leader is more concerned for those s/he leads, they call it as it is. With as much candor and little bias as possible, a servant-leader learns to speak in Love, but in doing so s/he does not soft soap or PC it to meaninglessness. I have found on my own journey with Jesus that I have often been too brutally blunt when ‘telling the truth,’ so I have had to learn to be more diplomatic. (Others I have known need to be less PC.) I had my first shot at practicing this lesson of diplomacy when I had to fire one of my maintenance assistants. At first I said, “I’m freeing you up so you don’t have to come in to work any more.” Oh, that missed the target, for he was stoned out of his mind and said, “Cool, man, you mean I can do whatever I want and still get paid?” Ah, no…. Finally, after a few tries of diplomatic phrasing, I simply said, “You’re fired!” “Aw, man, that’s a bummer.” Off he went….
Lifestyle worshiper, when we have our hearts filled with a genuine concern and a deep affection for those we lead, we will see the wisdom in calling it as it is. Speaking the truth in Love builds trust and aids in repairing those walls of broken & fatigued relationships.
Main Text: — Nehemiah 5:9 — So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies?” [NIV84]
Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts
— Ephesians 4:25 (NIV84)
— Proverbs 8:6-7 (NIV84)
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ
— Ephesians 4:15 (NIV84)
Lord Jesus Christ, I put You on as my Belt of Truth and my Belt of Love. Stir in my soul a passion for correcting those in my charge. May I do so with a Righteous Love. In Your Name, Amen.
Pastor Mike