Happy with truth

Love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. 1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭6‬ ‭

I believe a lot of people have trouble speaking the truth. Truth can sometimes be hard to say and so instead we remain silent. A popular saying when I was growing up was “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.” Many of us took this to heart, and now a lot of things that should be said are not said. We are afraid of offending people, not being politically correct, or being considered not nice. It is a big problem, we have a generation of people that are being raised in lies, whether through omission or commission.

When ai was growing up, I know there was a lot of preaching in hell. I learned of God’s love, but I also learned of hell as a real consequence of not accepting Jesus as my personal Savior. God loves the world, but I have to make a choice to love Him back. I have to receive His free gift. There is a generation growing up hearing that God is love and thinking that is enough, it takes no action on their part to receive. Change is not necessary because God loves everyone.

The truth is God does love everyone. He loves us so much He sent His son to die for our sins. He also loves us enough to not allow us to remain where we are in our sin. He wants a relationship with us. The truth is that it is in that relationship we desire to change. The more Truth that is revealed in our life the more we desire to live a more holy life.

Jesus spoke the truth even when it was not popular. Jesus spoke the truth even when it offended others. Jesus was more concerned with the eternal future of those around Him than being liked in the moment.

And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Matthew 22:16

Sometimes truth stings in the moment, but when change comes we find out that we are happy with the results. Truth can set us free. It ultimately leads us to Jesus who is the Truth.

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

We are blessed with Holy Spirit who can speak truth, but I believe God also wants to use people to speak truth.

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. John 15:26

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13

They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. John 17:16-19

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Romans 1:18

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.Ephesians 4:25

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 1 Timothy 2:3-5

We don’t need to argue and quarrel to speak the truth. We are told to speak the truth in love. It is only when we hear the truth and apply it to our loves that can grow in our walk with the Lord.

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 1 Timothy 2:24-26

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,”. Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬ ‭

The world needs the truth. Contrary to popular belief, the world can handle the truth, even if it doesn’t like it. We need Holy Spirit to guide us to truth. Speaking the truth will lead people to Jesus because He is the truth. Truth spoken in love without quarreling will lead us into a deeper walk with God. Love is happy with the truth.

Lord, let my words be filled with truth in love. Forgive me for times when I have withheld the truth or used the truth as a condemnation instead of to set another free. Let Holy a spirit guide and direct me in truth. Help me to receive the truth spoken into my life by You through others. Let the truth transform my life and set me free. In Jesus name. amen