…Requires knowing His Character.
So much is happening… It’s quite exciting…really!
I believe that our creator is doing a marvelous work in our day that is simply outstanding!
The worse thing I can think of is that I might get to a place so dark and distant that I miss it completely. Could it be as easy as focusing so much on the dark and negative “truths” I see all around me that I’m actually missing that reality??
The Father has been showing me lately, in very dramatic ways, that the only way to be truly productive and have life in myself is to continue to remain in His Presence and to Listen to His Voice.
I have often thought of myself as a “Truth-Seeker”, one who is willing to lay aside preconceived ideas, the desire to be right, or even comfort for the sake of finding and following after what is actually right. After all, what could be nobler??
I’ve been obsessed with the idea and pursuit of Truth since I’ve been about 6 yrs. old (or something like that). But I am realizing that there is a huge lie that I have swallowed about the truth (even while in the pursuit of Truth). How often is our conception of Truth quite different than the reality? There are several concepts that we may refer to as, “The Hard Truth” or “The Sad Reality” or “My Truth” or even just “The Truth” that we may think is the truth but in fact is only how we see it.
I realize this can be extremely broad of an idea, so let me just share some personal examples of what I mean.
I have often struggled with knowing where to draw the line in Speaking Truth that I know to be harsh, negative or discouraging, yet still felt an obligation to speak them because, they were “Truth”.
Examples:
“You’re a terrible singer. It would be unwise to spend time and money to pursue a career in music.”
“You should make better choices in your diet. It’s probably why you are struggling with your health.”
This one is sadly too close to home:
“You have an annoying personality, that’s probably why you don’t have any friends.”
Though I could give hundreds of examples, I think you know what I mean! These are actually things I have thought, but not said before. The reasons may have had more to do with worries of being offensive than hurting someone… but, chances are if we are coming from a place of Love, we would avoid such phrases and at least try to find a better, kinder or more encouraging way to address something we feel is amiss.
These ARE things we might find ourselves saying out of anger, frustration, annoyance, IMPATIENCE, or hurt…
I’m actually quite picky about the music I hear or sing… but if I love someone, it makes me happy to hear them singing from their soul: even if is off tune.
My husband and I have helped many people make dietary changes for their health, yet, I find that the more I grow in Maturity and understanding (and love), I tend to say much less about what someone is doing wrong and find it far more helpful and productive to focus on emotional and mental healing and feeling up the holes, emptiness, misconceptions or lack with speaking and cultivating as much Life as possible!
That last phrase, Oh boy… is not just lacking in finesse, but likely comes from a judgmental heart that is standing in God’s place and feels validated to make such a call on their character (as though they are a creation inferior to us).
There’s a nice piece of advice (from Bernard Meltzer, I think), that calls us to consider not just whether something is True, but Kind, necessary and Helpful. Which sounds nice and would surely be helpful to follow.
The Bible talks of “speaking the Truth in Love with the proper Intent, as being of vital importance.
I believe the deep reality of where these principles lie is in the very Nature of the One who does not just Speak Truth, but who IS Truth.
Therefore, to speak Truth is to speak the very words in the very nature of God, Himself. He who IS Love, Kind, Long-suffering, gentle, patient, faithful, just and Always Good.
Perhaps we may feel we are being “like God” by telling a “white lie” to avoid hurting someone (though usually, if we were honest, it is to protect ourselves). Yet, doing so steps us outside of our jurisdiction of obedient children and does not produce the sort of everlasting works that God desires us to participate in. They are outside of His Character. I think the greater portion of what we may call, “Harsh Truths” or “Hard Realities” are also outside of His Character.
Usually they come from a place of Frustration, Impatience, or a need to be right or justified. None of this is from a place of Love.
Paul’s letter to Corinth reminds us so eloquently that Love is,
Not rude or boastful, arrogant or proud… rather it is patient.
Believing all things, Hoping all things and Enduring all things…
If that were really true than speaking Truth in Love would always include seeing the best in the other person and wanting real good for them. It would contain a knowledge and belief that everything God makes is beautiful and good and meant to be glorious! That His Kingdom coming in our heart and mind transforms us to be able to love and He loves, see as He sees and speak as He would speak!
This is what it would mean to really Speak Truth to One Another.