“Speak Truth To Power Through Love.” ~ Lisa Blair

We use the word truth in a very cavalier way. It slips off our tongues with no commitment to its meaning. It is and then it the next breath, it is no more. According to Vines Expository Dictionary, the word ‘truth’ has an absolute force. It is not only ethical truth, but ‘truth’ in all its fullness and scope, as embodied in Christ, who is the perfect expression of truth. It also represents sincerity and integrity. It is the essence of the matter. There is no perversion. LOVE IS LOVE AND IS AN ACTION WORD.

Strong’s Dictionary #571 defines truth: certainty, stability, righteousness, and trustworthiness. Hayford wrote, Emet (eh-met), derives from the verb aman, meaning to be firm, permanent, and established, reliable. Truth is something upon which a person may confidently stake his life.

Let’s look at three versions of this scripture and it will become clear that we should change the way we use this term.

 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. KJV

 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. NIV

 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. NLT

KJV, key phrases – not in word or tongue, but in deed
NIV, key phrases – not in words or speech, but with actions
NLT, key phrases – not merely say, but show 

Using truth in a cavalier way does not empower us to minister to others. When we use truth without action we are not demonstrating truth through genuine love, we are not depicting the same truth Christ demonstrated during His time on earth. He loved all people and blanketed them with love. He did not say He loved people and then callously shun them. He did not say He loved and then gossip behind their backs. He did not see a person in need and then turn His back on them or look through them as if they did not exist. He did not stand up for a cause only if the right people were there to observe His action. Christ was and is genuine. When He spoke about truth, He spoke about the action behind the term truth which is love, the love of God.

As Christians, we need to adjust our lenses to see people as Christ sees them and respect who they are and where they are in their walk, in love. There’s a phrase people banter about, ‘don’t hate the person, hate the behavior.’ We all fall short of the glory of God. We are all on the path, whether or not we know it, or expect it. We are fallible and we are all sinners. 

In the framework of truth to power, there must be action behind the words truth and love if we expect to carry the Good News and minister to others in our actions and deeds. Truth through the action love is something we can stake our life on as can those who observe our actions. Our tendency to use the words truth and love can no longer be cavalier or lithe.

Images – YouVersion, Bible.com
Scriptures – Biblegateway.com
Resources – Hayford’s Bible Handbook, Jack Hayford; Nelson’s Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Commentary, Warren Wiersbe; Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, W.E. Vine