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Psalm 141:5 This verse reminds us of the Proverb which says: “An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy” (Proverbs 27:5- 6). These words are no doubt wise, but that doesn’t mean it is easy when somebody says something harsh to us, or tells us that we have gone wrong. It might prove to be soothing medicine in the end but, at the time, it can really hurt. In Ephesians 4, Paul reflects on the fact that we all need to become more mature. He was eager that his readers shouldn’t be “blown about by every wind of new teaching” (v14). He was aware of the dangers that came from false teachers whose clever lies sounded like the truth. The antidote to this was for the Church to be a community within which people spoke the truth in love. It sounds simple, but it is often very far from it. Truth has sharp edges and we are sometimes inclined to shrink from sharing it. We would rather take refuge in pleasantries and superficial talk. But if we really love one another, we will share the truth, and do it in a way that is gracious, sensitive and wise. Speaking the truth in love is two- sided. We need to be ready to share and receive it. I strongly urge you to prepare for both in prayer. As you pray for your Christian brothers and sisters, your love for them is bound to grow. As it does so, you will long for them to receive God’s liberating truth. If you become aware that you need to speak to them about some aspect of their life, pray hard that the way in which you share that wisdom will be totally immersed in love. That process itself will help you to prepare you for the moment when others, out of their love and care for you, may need to share truth with you. It may feel as unwelcome as many forms of medicine but, if it is a true word from God, it will be nothing but a blessing. QUESTION When have you experienced the soothing medicine of other people’s strong words? PRAYER Lord God, teach me more about what it means to speak the truth in love. Amen