Authentic Communication

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ-from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes the growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.  Eph. 4:13-16
 
When Paul refers to speaking the truth in love, he is explaining to us the importance of speaking the truth in love.  The more we understand and grow in God’s “love.” the better we can walk in love (Ephesians 5:1-2) in our relationships with others.  When someone speaks the truth without love, that is judgment; when someone shows love without sharing truth, that is toleration.  Both of these ways are not biblical.  We need to ask God to strengthen us to be able to speak the truth in love but also to humbly be able to receive the truth when it is spoken in love. However, if it is not truth to begin with, that must also be clarified as well.  This is the biblical example of love that we want to cultivate in our church family so that we may grow in our relationship with God and one another.
 
Sometimes fear can cause us to withhold information in our communication with one another.  This is a fear of man. The fear of man can immobilize us when we should take action, and gag us into silence when we should speak.  It feels powerful, but its power is deceptive.  In Proverbs 29:25, it says, “the fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”  The Hebrew word for “snare” refers to traps hunters used to catch animals or birds.  Snares are dangerous.  If we get caught, we must do whatever it takes to free ourselves. 
 
God has the power to free us, and He wants us living in the safe freedom of trusting Him. But He frees us not by removing our fear of disapproval but transferring it to the right place.  And typically, He frees us by helping us face our false fears, so they lose their power over us.
 
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7