Speaking the Truth in Difficult Situations

[Reformed]

Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

The Greek word for ‘unwholesome’ in this passage is σαπρός (sapros). Literally It means bad, rotten, putrid. Particularly of vegetable or animal substances as a tree and its fruit, fish (Matthew 7:17, 18; 12:33; 13:48; Luke 6:43). Figuratively in a moral sense, it means corrupt, foul, referring to the spoken word (Ephesians 4:29).

A few verses earlier (v. 25) Paul tells the Ephesians, “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.” Sometimes speaking the truth means having a difficult or painful discussion.

How do you bridge the gap between speaking the truth in difficult situations while at the same time not allowing your speech and the general tenor of the discussion to become bad, rotten, and putrid?

 

[JonC]

Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

The Greek word for ‘unwholesome’ in this passage is σαπρός (sapros). Literally It means bad, rotten, putrid. Particularly of vegetable or animal substances as a tree and its fruit, fish (Matthew 7:17, 18; 12:33; 13:48; Luke 6:43). Figuratively in a moral sense, it means corrupt, foul, referring to the spoken word (Ephesians 4:29).

A few verses earlier (v. 25) Paul tells the Ephesians, “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.” Sometimes speaking the truth means having a difficult or painful discussion.

How do you bridge the gap between speaking the truth in difficult situations while at the same time not allowing your speech and the general tenor of the discussion to become bad, rotten, and putrid?

One thing we have to make sure we do not leave out is "but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment".

Just because something is true does not mean it needs to be said.

When it needs to be said ask why. If for edification then it is for another person and given with him or her in mind. It is spoken in love.

Too often people just want to be right or win an argument. Or they feel wrong or untitled. All of this is pride and does not have the betterment of the other person in view.

Speaking the truth when necessary in difficult situations must be laced with charity. That is the goal, after all.