Devotional: Speaking Truth While Showing Grace

Ephesians 4:25-29

"Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear." Ephesisans 4:29 I recently came across a video of a Q&A session with actress, Meagan Good and her husband, DeVon Franklin. The couple were promoting their new book about abstinence and purity before marriage. Suddenly a woman in the audience addressed Meagan directly, criticizing her lack of modesty in the way she dresses. While there may have been some truth to what this woman was saying, it was painfully obvious that her choice of timing and the way she used her words was hurtful and embarassing to the actress. Many people, including Meagan's husband, quickly came to her defense, but the damage had already been done. In Ephesians 4:25-29, Paul specifically addresses the issue of speaking the truth for the purpose of uplifting one another. In verse 25, he stresses the importance of telling the truth to one another, as we are all part of the body of Christ. However, he makes sure to acknowledge that how we tell the truth matters too. We must make sure that the truth that we speak shows grace unto others, otherwise it becomes ineffective. The woman who addressed Meagan Good probably thought she had good intentions, but her words were not able to be heard or considered because her poor choice of delivery. If there is no effort to build one up, the tearing of one down will not point them to Christ. Therefore the truth becomes inadequate, and the pain and embarassment that was caused becomes the focal point. Let us be mindful to speak the truth, but be mindful in how we say it. Lord, give us the wisdom and knowledge to know the truth so that we may build one another up. Teach us how to share the truth with one another, and that our intentions in what we say would point us to you. Amen