A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. (Proverbs 16:28 ESV)
Truth and Love
Truth does not exist for its own sake. Truth leads to something else, defends something else, elevates something else, discovers something else, or creates something else.
Something else like Love.
This Proverb points out that when truth is absent in a relationship, unity is lost. Stated more strongly, lack of truth destroys our ability to love.
(The reverse is also true. A lack of love does away with the need or desire for truth.)
Disaster is born in the nest of unloving apathy about truth. Even lies that claim to be founded in protecting others’ feelings, or avoiding conflict, or being ‘nice’ will result in strife, anger, pain, and separation.
One of the best ways to love is to love truth. Even when the truth is hard. Even when the truth is self-destructive. Even when the truth brings tears.
In fact, even when truth brings sorrow (and tears) that truth will ultimately ensure a lack of tears in the fabric of relationship.
This is how Christ uses truth for His people. He points at our sin, calling it painfully what it is. He points to Himself, Truth embodied. He declares His matchless love in His matchless sacrifice. He declares that His cross is the absolute only way to Peace, Joy, and abundant life.
And He waters none of it down.
Love loves truth, and truth lives for love.
Take the love God grants us.