Lent Days 23-24: Telling the truth in love

Speaking the truth in love,
we will grow to become in every respect
the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
From him the whole body,
joined and held together by every supporting ligament,
grows and builds itself up in love,
as each part does its work.
Ephesians 4:15-16
Sunday: we spoke in two churches;
Monday: coffee with ministers
Tuesday: "God is love, and God loves me"
Truth-telling is difficult for humans. According to scientists, we lie mutliple times a day (or often every hour, every few minutes...)

 I find myself hedging the truth or agreeing (nodding, saying nothing) when I don't want to disagree or make a fuss. 

 God is truth. We know there is no deception in him at all.

 Yet for us, there seems to be a fine balance between speaking out or speaking up and keeping our thoughts to ourselves. Scriptures mentions times to confront and deal with failure publically (in the case of leaders in the congregation) and says that sometimes we speak in private (with a brother or sister who sins). 

 And we are repeatedly warned to be quiet rather than blab on about everything. "Even foolss are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues," said a wise man (Proverbs 17:28).

 Today, watch for opportunities to bite your tongue and times when you should speak up.

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