Speak the Truth
Aug 05, 2025 by Addison Crissone
A lot of times, when we are at our wits' end and we don't know what to do, prayer is the only option.
Far too often, though, it is the last resort.
A few nights ago, I was struggling to write and even think as I was getting over being sick, and my inability to write was frustrating me to the point of tears.
So I prayed.
"Lord, if I were to tell you all the things that you already know are on my heart, what would you tell me?"
What would you tell me?
I prayed that over and over again. And, as God often speaks to us, I was led to his word.
First, to the book of John:
I am to speak the truth to others.
We are to speak the truth to one another.
This is His will for us, that we speak to one another the words of salvation, the words of gospel hope. And we do it out of love, first for our great Savior, and then out of love for our fellow man.
These verses reminded me of something I recall my preacher saying a few weeks ago at the close of his sermon-
"Stand for the truth in a very loving way."
This means that we can stand for the truth and still love those who may oppose our words of truth. We may reprove their opposition, but love them as a person by keeping our words gentle and kind, seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6)- this is how we show them the love of Jesus, as we have been called to do.
This does not mean that we must "water down" or dilute the word of God to please those who may find reason to object or disagree.
No, we are to stand for the truth in a loving way- becoming like Jesus as we love those who oppose the truth.
For me, this is His will- and the way to obedience.
To speak the truth.
And that I must do.
Far too often, though, it is the last resort.
A few nights ago, I was struggling to write and even think as I was getting over being sick, and my inability to write was frustrating me to the point of tears.
So I prayed.
"Lord, if I were to tell you all the things that you already know are on my heart, what would you tell me?"
What would you tell me?
I prayed that over and over again. And, as God often speaks to us, I was led to his word.
First, to the book of John:
"If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching
is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority."
-John 7:17
is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority."
-John 7:17
More often than not, we aren't sure what exactly the Lord's will is. But we must be obedient to what he has given us.
Elisabeth Elliot, speaking on this particular verse, once said, "There is only one road to knowing Him- obedience."
So, we must ask, "Lord, what is your will?"
And He led me to Ephesians 4:15.
Elisabeth Elliot, speaking on this particular verse, once said, "There is only one road to knowing Him- obedience."
So, we must ask, "Lord, what is your will?"
"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into
him who is the head, into Christ."
him who is the head, into Christ."
And then on down to verse 25:
"...Let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor..."
I am to speak the truth to others.
We are to speak the truth to one another.
This is His will for us, that we speak to one another the words of salvation, the words of gospel hope. And we do it out of love, first for our great Savior, and then out of love for our fellow man.
These verses reminded me of something I recall my preacher saying a few weeks ago at the close of his sermon-
"Stand for the truth in a very loving way."
This means that we can stand for the truth and still love those who may oppose our words of truth. We may reprove their opposition, but love them as a person by keeping our words gentle and kind, seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6)- this is how we show them the love of Jesus, as we have been called to do.
This does not mean that we must "water down" or dilute the word of God to please those who may find reason to object or disagree.
No, we are to stand for the truth in a loving way- becoming like Jesus as we love those who oppose the truth.
For me, this is His will- and the way to obedience.
To speak the truth.
And that I must do.
