Speak the Truith in Love (What is Truth?)

“What is truth?” said Pilate.
John 18:38 (HCSB)

Indeed what is truth?  It would seem easy to define truth as that which is true.  However using a term to define a term is faulty logic.  I want to suggest that there are 4 types of truth.  There may be more, but alternatives are more or less variations on these four types.  The types of truth are absolute, objective, relative, and subjective.

I like to refer to Absolute truth as divine truth or God's truth.  We tend to think of this truth as always true regardless of time, place, or person.  It is true no matter what.  I  believe that absolute truth is a person.  That person is Jesus Christ.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6 (HCSB)

Speak the Truth in Love (Good Communication)

Speaking the truth in love requires good communication in my estimation.  If you are just talking to get your point across then really you are just using persuasive speech and not solid relationship affirming communication.  Persuasive speech does not require an intimacy of relationship.  It does not require mutual understanding.  It does not even require the person speaking to take a turn listening.  Good good communication does require these though. Let's take a closer look at the process of good communication.

Speak the Truth in Love (The context)

Have you ever noticed that when someone says “I am speaking the truth in love” that it is more to make themselves feel better than a genuine sentiment? I would be more accurate to say, “You are not going to like what I have to say so I am going to say I am doing it in love to make myself feel better.” This expression is often used in relationships that have conflict. What does it mean to “Speak the truth in love”? The reference is to Ephesians 4:14-16