“4Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (ESV)
Quite the passage on love. Paul identifies what love is. My study is on “truth” and brought be here where I am reminded of the relationship of truth and love.
All too often I have heard the misnomer, “I lied to protect you out of love”. And whereas there may be some validity to that misnomer, it is all in the mind of the one saying it. I can certainly see where the thought comes from and why someone would believe it, for it allows the person saying it to avoid the difficulty of fessing up to whatever the situation was. I guess in some way, that would be acceptable, although really only in and for the person saying it, and everyone else is left to suffer through reality at some point.
The correct approach to demonstrate love would be to tell the truth. Will it be painful, likely yes. Will it cause some difficulty, yes. Will one be uncomfortable with “letting the cat out of the bag”, surely.
Giving of the truth will allow for a quicker and more complete resolution. The issue will not linger on and continue to be a burden as time progresses. There will be an opportunity to address and get ahead of the item. It will be like “ripping off a bandage”, a quick amount of discomfort to allow for the healing.
Love is truth and truth is love. When there is love, there should always be truth. Looking out for the other is more important than looking out for oneself. My pastor gave a sermon in his series, “This Changes Everything” where he spoke of the dedication of wives and husbands to one another. The 3rd point in speaking to each of them was to “Put your husbands/wives needs above your own”. This point works so closely with these verses of love and truth. With my love for Lori, it is my responsibility to full of truth as is her responsibility with me. Our love is truth and truth is love.
When you are dealing with others, of whom are you thinking? What does your demonstration of love look like with them? Are you able to demonstrate your love through truth in your relationship?
Trevor's Thoughts 