Mike Demory
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ (Eph. 4:14-15).
These powerful words of Paul should incite within the open and honest individual the need to stop allowing themselves to accept every doctrine that appears to come from God’s Word without question. Speaking to members of the church of Christ (Christians) in Ephesus, he reminds them they must become and remain adults in their reasoning and thinking skills. He says children are easily tossed about, believing anything others tell them. This is why the Bereans were called more noble than those of Thessalonica because they refused to readily accept Paul’s words without first research (Acts 17:11). Notice the text says they examined the Scriptures daily to make sure the truth was being taught. Examined is a legal term for careful and exact research. Millions today allow their feelings and the newest fad of the crowd to be their standard of right and wrong. Such individuals are children in their thinking, allowing themselves to be tossed to and fro and remaining captives of the devil.
Notice how Paul compares the teaching of error (Eph. 4:14) with the teaching of truth (Eph. 4:15). Error never exposes itself as being false. It is always packaged as the truth. Paul also wrote that there will be those in the world who use “good words and fair speeches [to] deceive the hearts of the simple” (Rom. 16:18). Far too many adults act like lazy children who still expect to be spoon fed, never wanting to have to think for themselves. It is just easier to accept what others tell them to believe than having to spend time in careful and exact research. I have had elders tell me, “Whatever the preacher believes, so goes the congregation.” First, such men have just admitted they are not qualified to stand as leaders of the congregation, and second, they have admitted the problem of laziness exists within the church walls! When Jesus said the way to eternal life is narrow, He was describing the meticulous effort required to make it down that path and remain on that path (Mat. 7:13-14).
Rather than allowing ourselves (being pleased) to remain on the milk of the Word, requiring over and over again the first principles (Heb. 5:12; 1 Cor. 3:1-3), should we not be studying to show ourselves approved onto God (2 Tim. 2:15)? Before we can expect to measure up the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13), Paul instills in us the desire to teach the truth in love. Preachers are often told, “You speak the truth, but just not in love,” meaning you stepped on our toes. We did not like it because the truth applies to others, not us, and we will not change, so back off! Many believe teaching the truth in love means to soft soap God’s Word. Did Jesus teach the truth in love when He said, “Woe unto you scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites!” (Mat. 23:13-33)? Or when He called them “blind guides,” “whited sepulchres,” “serpents and generation of vipers?” Of course, He did.
Teaching the truth in love means telling others the truth when they want to hear it and even when they do not (2 Tim. 4:2). The English word love comes from the Greek word agape, which means to seek the best possible good for others. Rebuking, reproving, and admonishing those in error or about to turn to error is never pleasant, but it is most definitely necessary for the soul’s salvation (Jam. 5:19-20). If a person enjoys every minute of exposing the error in another, then such is not done in love and is a sin. No love is demonstrated when another is allowed to remain in error for fear of hurting feelings or destroying a friendship. Remember, we will be held accountable on Judgment Day for not being the watchman on the wall (Eze. 33:3-6) just because we do not want others to dislike us for speaking the truth. John reminds us: “Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8).
The author of Hebrews also exhorts us to “consider one another to provoke unto love and good works” (Heb. 10:24). Speaking the truth in love will hopefully provoke others to do the same.
