But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ Ephesians 4:15
As marketplace Christians, we are called to tell our faith stories. But how we tell our stories matters.
It is possible to be truthful without being loving. It is also possible to be kind without being honest. Scripture calls us to something deeper: speaking the truth in love.
When we share what Jesus has done in our lives, we want to be truthful, but we also want to be loving, kind, and gentle. These qualities are not opposites. In fact, learning to bring truth and love together is an important part of growing as followers of Christ.
Truth and Love Belong Together
Ephesians 4 gives us a practical picture of how believers should interact with one another. Paul encourages us not to remain like children, being carried around by every idea or teaching, but to grow in Christ.
Then he gives us this instruction:
“But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head—Christ.”
Speaking the truth requires courage. Speaking the truth in love requires wisdom, humility, and dependence on God.
Sometimes we are tempted not to be truthful because we are afraid of the consequences. We may worry that someone will be offended, reject us, or misunderstand us. But when God calls us to be truthful, we can trust Him with the outcome.
At the same time, truth should never become an excuse for being careless with people.
Gentleness Is Not a Shortcut
Not telling the truth can sometimes feel easier. We can simply say what people want to hear, avoid a difficult conversation, or remain silent because we are afraid.
But avoiding truth isn’t necessarily loving.
The harder calling is to find a way to communicate truth that allows another person to receive it.
That requires us to slow down, listen, pray, and consider the person in front of us. It means putting others first and asking God to help us communicate in a way that reflects Christ.
Being gentle is not the same as avoiding truth.
Gentleness means caring enough about someone to consider how the truth is delivered.
Tell Your Story With Humility
When we tell our faith story, we don’t have to position ourselves as people who have everything figured out.
We are people who are following Jesus.
Our story is not about how good we are. It is about what Jesus is doing in our lives and what we have experienced as we follow Him.
For Christians, our faith includes the conviction that Jesus is the way to God. John 14:6 says:
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.”
We can hold firmly to what we believe while still treating people with respect and kindness.
We don’t have to be hurtful or careless in order to be clear.
Let the Spirit Guide Your Words
Speaking the truth in love is difficult because it requires more than simply saying whatever comes to our minds.
We can tell people what they want to hear. That’s easy.
We can also say whatever we want without considering how our words affect others. That’s easy too.
The harder path is asking:
What would Jesus have me say?
That means calling on the Lord first and asking Him for the grace and wisdom to communicate truth in His power rather than relying only on our own strength.
Before we speak, we can pray:
“Lord Jesus, show me how to be loving yet truthful. Show me how to do that consistently. Help me do the work.”
Your Words Can Make an Eternal Difference
As followers of Jesus, we don’t always know what God may do through one conversation, one email, one encouraging note, or one moment of kindness.
The people around us need to see Christ through the way we live and communicate.
That might mean encouraging someone at lunch.
It might mean sending a note to someone who needs hope.
It might mean praying for a coworker.
It might mean sharing your faith story when an opportunity opens.
Every interaction is an opportunity to represent Christ in the marketplace.
What we do because we follow Jesus matters forever.
Community Helps Us Live It Out
This is one reason community is so important.
At Follower of One, community is at the core of what we do. We help one another live out our faith in the marketplace. Through Marketplace Mission Trips, the five daily habits, conversations, and encouragement, we help one another take another step toward Jesus.
We were not designed to do this alone.
When we know other believers are showing up and representing Christ in the marketplace, it encourages us to show up too.
Community helps us practice what we believe.
Practice Telling Your Story
As you go through your day, think about your faith story.
Are you ready to tell someone what Jesus is doing in your life?
Are you willing to share it?
And when the opportunity comes, can you tell it in a way that is both truthful and gentle?
You don’t need to force a conversation. Pay attention to the people around you. Pray for them. Look for opportunities to encourage them and make Jesus visible through your words and actions.
The goal isn’t simply to say more.
The goal is to represent Christ well.
Tell your story. Speak the truth. Do it with love.
Wherever you work and whatever you do today, you have an opportunity to be who Christ would have you be in the presence of the people around you.
Your words can matter forever.
Your actions can matter forever.
So pay attention to the people God has placed around you, and let Him use you for His glory.
What we do because we follow Jesus matters forever.
