Text: Mark 10:19-23
19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
SPEAK TRUTH IN LOVE, NOT LIES IN KINDNESS
Memory Verse: John 4:17 “The woman answered him, ‘I have no husband.’ Jesus said to her, ‘You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.’”
If you have a friend who is heading toward danger, like walking near a busy road without looking. If you care about them, you will not just smile and say, “You are fine,” even if they don’t want to hear it. You will warn them, kindly but clearly, because you want to keep them safe and alive. This is what true love does, it cares enough to speak the truth, even if it might hurt at first.
Today, many people believe that love means never offending anyone. This is a mistake. Real love does not hide the truth or tell lies just to be nice. It delivers the truth with kindness and courage. Jesus is the perfect example. He never avoided difficult truths to protect people’s feelings. When He talked to Nicodemus, He said plainly, “You must be born again” John 3:3. That was hard to hear, but it was necessary for a new life. When Jesus met the woman at the well, He told her the truth about her past “You have had five husbands…” John 4:17, not to shame her, but to show her who she really was and to offer her the living water.
To the rich young ruler, Jesus said, “Sell all you have and give to the poor” Mark 10:21. That was not a gentle suggestion, it was a call to change his life. In every conversation, Jesus mixed the truth with grace. He did not hand out “spiritual painkillers” that only make people feel good for a moment. He gave them the real truth that leads to healing and life.
Like a good doctor who tells a patient what they really need, not just what they want to hear, Jesus shows us how to love well. We should be gentle but honest, kind but bold. If we only tell people what comforts them, we may stop them from growing. True love is brave, it speaks the truth, even when it is hard. That is how lives are changed.
So, let’s choose to speak truth in love, not lies in kindness. That is the way to help others to truly live.
Covenant Gate Hymnals 1; SS&S 1167: ” BE THE MATTER WHAT IT MAY, ALWAYS SPEAK THE TRUTH”
1. Be the matter what it may, always speak the truth;
Whether at your work or play, always speak the truth
Never from this rule depart, grave it
deeply on your heart,
Written ’tis upon your chart :
” Always speak the truth ! ”
2. There’s a charm in honesty, always
speak the truth ; [speak the truth ;
There is meanness in a lie; always
He is but a coward slave, who, a present
pain to waive,
Stoops to falsehood; then, be brave;
Always speak the truth.
3. When you’re wrong, the folly own,
always speak the truth;
There’s a triumph to be won, always
speak the truth ;
He who speaks with lying tongue adds
to wrong a greater wrong;
Then, with courage true and strong,
Always speak the truth.
Today’s Prayer
1. Lord, help me speak Your truth gently and lovingly, even when it feels difficult.
2. Father, give me courage to lovingly confront sin and guide others toward repentance.
3. God, raise up leaders who balance grace and truth to transform lives boldly and kindly.
