Emotions - If you take time to think about it, do you let emotions of the moment take over other moments? What would it be like if you could keep emotions of the moment in the moment? You would need to know how you can examine the emotions of the moment. The PAUSE and ASK to Examine Emotions of the Moment tool is for that.
Get the notes for PAUSE and ASK to Examine Emotions of the Moment tool
The Psalmist in Psalm 73 kept his emotions OF the moment IN the moment. He kept his lament to himself.
In time, God gave him clarity.
If you take time to think about it, do you let emotions of the moment take over other moments?
If you get yelled at at work do you yell at your family when you get home?
If I stranger makes you angry do you take it out on people you love?
Do you believe the truth you feel in a moment of panic is the truth you need to live with for the rest of your life?
Imagine
What would it be like if you could keep emotions of the moment in the moment? You would need to know how you can examine the emotions of the moment.
Tool
How do you examines emotions of the moment?
How to examine emotion of the moment when it involves someone else
PAUSE and ASK to Examine Emotions of the Moment tool
With someone - PAUSE
Put off responding
Pause - Take a breathe. Don’t hit send on the email. Be still and know He is God - Psalm 46:10
Awareness
Be aware of your body - what’s happening physically to you in the moment? Understand how it plays into how you feel in the moment. Psalm 139:23-24
Understand
Try to understand your emotions. Why are you responding that way? Is it sober minded? - 1 Peter 5:8-9
Soft Answers
People will response to the volume you use. Don’t respond to their level of volume. A soft answer turns away wrath. Proverbs 15:1
Examine
Look for the gold others. What does God love about them and what they’re doing? What can you appreciate about them in this moment? Tell them. Philippians 2:4
How to examine emotion of the moment when you’re by yourself
By Yourself - ASK
Analyze
What does God’s word say? Psalm 119:11
Whole council, not proof text 2 Timothy 2:15
Study
What do people who are ahead of you stay? Proverbs 4:1
Look for people with wisdom James 3:17
Know
What does Holy Spirit say? John 16:13
Does it seem right to you AND Holy Spirit Acts 15:28
Next Step
Live LIGHT Above the Negativity Course - Move from being easily regularly frustrated, usually feeling busy, often afraid or easily angered TO having peace at all times and in every situation. Learn more and get the best price at https://revtrev.link/bless
REST to Renew your Mind Tool - Do you know that we can change how we feel? Do you know how to do that? The REST to Renew your mind tool helps you do just that. Find it at https://revtrev.link/bless
TL/DL/DW Read the REST to Renew your Mind Tool Sneak Peek
Can you look back at your life and see how God has already been at work in you? Can you imagine what it will look like to look more and more like Jesus?
The fruit of the Spirit is not some checklist that we can beat ourselves up with. It is the fruit He grows in us as He transforms us. But in each of those fruits, there is a decision to make and an action for us to do, with Holy Spirit’s help.
Your role in transformation is renewing your mind.
REST to Renew your mind Tool
R - Recogize the voice of the enemy
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10
Our Role
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
E- Engage God’s voice
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. John 6:68
Our Role
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Psalm 27:8
S - Stand in His truth
His Acceptance
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
Our Role
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
T - Think God’s Thoughts
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Colossians 3:1-2
Our Role
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8
Repeat steps 1-4 daily.
Challenge
Do you know you need to change how you feel? Are your feelings lining up with the word of God? This is just the start of the process, but it’s an important step along the way. Use the tool to daily to help you change how you feel.
The Live LIGHT LOOP for Friday, May 10, 2024 celebrates all things Live LIGHT - including the books, and courses, and resources, and community and coaching that can be found on https://livelight.ca/
You were created to walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day. Sin came into the world and you bore the consequences. Jesus came and reversed the curse and took your place and invited you to take His yoke that is easy and burden that is light. You are a child of God creation longs to be revealed. You are a living light. Don’t conform but be transformed, so you can have peace and joy and hope at all times and in every situation. Download the Live LIGHT Manifesto to print off at https://revtrev.link/free
How Can I HELP?
Live LIGHT Academy has books and courses and resources and community and coaching to help you not conform but be transformed so you can have peace and hope and joy at all times and in every situation. What I create always needs to HELP - Honour, Empower, be Life-giving and Pleasing to God. Learn more at https://www.livelight.ca/about
How do I self-identify?
I am a wisdom loving, knowledge sharing, God marvelling, life celebrating, kingdom living, soul healing, Lord seeking, gift imparting, Spirit flowing, grace knowing, irenic follower of the Way. I hold you capable and Holy Spirit trustable to finish the good work He's started in you.
Move from being easily regularly frustrated, usually feeling busy, often afraid or easily angered TO having peace at all times and in every situation. https://revtrev.link/bless
Live LIGHT Above the Negativity Reflections and Devotional
Get the Live LIGHT Negativity Fast in Book form today. 47 days of reflections and devotionals to help you take thoughts captive and align with God's will for your life. https://revtrev.link/books
Today's Negativity Fast Reflection. Discover the transformative journey of embracing quietness and trust to overcome negativity and find inner strength.
It was to the people of Judah that God spoke through the prophet Isaiah - Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But can’t you hear the echo across the millennia?
You were create to walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day. All of creation longs for the children of God to be revealed. We along with creation yearn to the be in the unforced rhythms of grace Jesus talked about.
And yet the final line of the verse in Isaiah 30:15 shouts across the millennia-
Isaiah 30:15 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.
May this negativity fast reflection centre you on the grace God has for you today.
Listen to Negativity Fast Reflection - Quietness And Trust Is My Strength
Read the Negativity Fast Reflection - Quietness And Trust Is My Strength
Repentance and rest is my salvation. Quietness and trust is my strength. I govern my anger anytime I am provoked and patiently bear out the anger of others, even when it’s been misplaced on me. My gentleness is evident to all. I trust God to fight my battles. I take up my position, stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord.
How do I respond to anger lately?
Next Steps
Live LIGHT Above the Negativity Course - Move from being easily regularly frustrated, usually feeling busy, often afraid or easily angered to having peace at all times and in every situation. https://revtrev.link/bless
Live LIGHT Tips and Tools to fast from Negativity - Are you looking to make a difference in the attitudes and actions in your everyday world? Get these Tips and Tools to help you Fast from Negativity https://revtrev.link/tips
Live LIGHT Negativity Fast - Move from toxic negativity to life-giving positivity with 47 days of reflections and Devotional and Community. https://revtrev.link/fast
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit outlines nine attributes that should be evident in the life of a true believer. These attributes include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. While it is easy to read about these characteristics and know what they mean intellectually, transforming them into part of our daily lives can be challenging. However, by understanding how to yield to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to work within us, we can experience a transformation that brings us closer to God and makes us more like Jesus Christ. Learn more in the message How to Let the fruit of Holy Spirit Transform You
Listen to How to let the fruit of Holy Spirit TRANSFORM You
Read How to let the fruit of Holy Spirit TRANSFORM You
So today we’re going to explore how to be transformed by the fruit of Holy Spirit. It’s good to start with where we get that term. Paul is writing to the church in Galatia when he writes Galatians 5:13-25.
Where we learn Holy Spirit Transforms us
Galatians 5:13-25 NLT …So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Can I pray?
We all love to quote the fruit of the Spirit. Most of us have artwork around our house with this verse or words from this verse. Sometimes we repeat it to ourselves hoping it will help it grow. It might. God’s word has a way for not coming back void.
Other times we speak it others to whack them over the head with truth of the scripture.
Getting mad at the ‘right things’ we can get mad at is not the fruit of the Spirit. Being able to quote the fruit of the Spirit is not the same as growing the fruit of the Spirit. Knowing right (orthodoxy) is not the fruit of the Spirit but doing right (orthopraxy) often can be. Can I try to explain the problem with the fruit better?
The problem
The biggest problem with the Fruit of Holy Spirit is something I’ve done myself. I have taught and tried to live the fruit of the Spirit as a check list to see how my spiritual life was doing. Did I have enough or did I need more:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control?
It’s not a checklist. Stop thinking of the fruit of the Spirit as a checklist for spiritual maturity. It’s not a standard that you and others need to live up to.
The fruit of the spirit are the result of putting to death the sinful nature and keeping in step with the Spirit
Look what Paul tells the church in Rome…
Romans 12:1-2 NIVUK Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Do not conform…but be transformed.
Look what it says in Ephesians…
Ephesians 4:21-23 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Do not conform…but be transformed.
Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
It’s Holy Spirit who transforms us.
It’s not something we can do in ourselves. We didn’t save ourselves, we won’t transform ourselves. We can’t finish in the flesh what was started in the Spirit (Galatians 3:3). In fact, Paul tells us in what we read at the start - Galatians 5:16
Galatians 5:16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
And I appreciate how the NLT approaches Galatians 5:22
Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
It’s Holy Spirit that produces that fruit in our lives.
It’s not my role to produce those things in me. It’s Holy Spirit that does the transformation.
That doesn’t mean I’m lazy. Far from it. Paul tells us:
1 Corinthians 15:10 NIVUK But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
Did you catch that?
We have a role. He has a role. Our role is to work with the grace He provides. His role is to finish the good work He’s started.
And the good news is what Paul tells the Philippians
Philippians 1:6 NIVUK: … he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Holy Spirit empowers us to transform and He will finish the good work He’s started
And he’ll do until Jesus comes or you go home. He’ll keep working to make you more and more and more like the Son, whom the Father loves.
So the question becomes how...?
How do I keep in step with Holy Spirit? How do I let Holy Spirit transform me? What’s my role in this transformation?
Those are great question, I’m so glad you asked. Here’s a tool that can help you not conform but be transformed by Holy Spirit.
This is your role; only as you are empowered by Holy Spirit to have the grace to live out God’s will in your life.
How to let Holy Spirit TRANSFORM You Tool
TRANSFORM
T - Trust God cares for you.
R - Remember to obey what He tells you to do.
A - Agree to work as unto the Lord.
N - Never forget what He’s done.
S - Stand on His promises to you.
F - Fill your thoughts with gratitude.
O - Only let His voice hold sway.
R - Remember He will finish the good work He’s started.
M - Move to the rhythms of His grace.
And to my surprise and awe… every one of the fruits can be a result of allowing God’s grace to work in each of these areas.
T - Trust God cares for you.
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7
The result of allowing God’s grace to work in you help trust He cares for you is the fruit of love.
Love ἀγάπη - love that is a decision.
1 Corinthians 13:6-7 NIVUK Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
When you love God, you trust God and his perfect love casts out all fear.
We need to trust God in the day to day of everyday. When we trust him we know he cares for us and so we can cast our cares on him. The more we know his love, the more we trust his love, the more we share his love.
Think about what Jesus said with the vine and branches. When you produce fruit you’re pruned to be more fruitful as you remain in Him you produce much fruit. It is not a pleasant process.
Transformation happens when you move from order, to disorder, to re-order
It’s not an easy process. It’s tough. It’s easy to give God credit for the works of the one who comes to kill, steal and destroy.
In time, as you’ve gone from order to disorder to reorder and from order to disorder to reorder and from order to disorder to reorder and from order to disorder to reorder ….
When we go through that process, we need to stop giving God credit for the works of the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy. - John 10:10 We need to trust Him, knowing that He cares for us.
The question you can ask Holy Spirit:
Do I know that You care? Do I cast my cares on you?
R - Remember to obey what He tells you to do
James 1:22-25 NLT But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
The result of allowing God’s grace to work in you to obey what He tells you to do is the fruit of joy
Joy - χαρά
John 15:9-11 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
Have you been lacking joy? Have you been obeying what he has told you to do?
The question you can ask Holy Spirit:
Have I been stuck because I have missed or even refused to obey something You said?
A - Agree to work as unto the Lord.
Colossians 3:23-24 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
The result of allowing God’s grace to work in you to agree to work as unto the Lord is the fruit of Peace
Peace - εἰρήνη
Luke 10:2-7 He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. ‘When you enter a house, first say, “Peace to this house.” If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
Essentially when Jesus sent out his 72 disciples he said, “Find people of peace and let them serve you.”
Can you find a better example of “working as unto the Lord? Trusting God to take care of you through people. The result of trusting God is peace.
Whatever you do, when you do it as unto the Lord you’re trusting God to take care of you. You’re trusting him to fight the battles. You’re trusting him to be true to His word. You’re trusting him to work everything together for good.
When you’re trusting God’s grace to work in you as you agree to work as unto the Lord is the fruit of Peace.
The question you can ask Holy Spirit is:
Do I do all that I do like I’m working for Jesus? Do I have the peace that proves that?
N - Never forget what He’s done
Psalm 103:2-5 NLT Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things! My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
The result of allowing God’s grace to work in you to never forget what He’s done is the fruit of Patience.
Patience - μακροθυμία
Colossians 3:12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
How do you clothe yourself with patience? You remember what He’s already done. If He did it before, He can do it again. If He did it for others, He can do it for me. Patience is not having a stiff upper lip when have to endure, it’s a solid and growing agreement that God is good and He’s in a good mood.
Revelation 12:11 And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.
Patience grows as we understand God better through what’s he’s already done. Testimony grows patience.
The question you can ask Holy Spirit:
Lord, what do You want me to remember about your goodness to me?
S - Stand on His promises to you.
Psalms 145:13 For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.
The result of allowing God’s grace to work in you to stand on His promises for you is the fruit of kindness.
Kindness - χρηστότης
Romans 2:4 NLT Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
We are to clothe ourselves with kindness. How do we allow God’s grace to work in us to show kindness?
When we see His kindness towards us, we can clothe ourselves with kindness to others.
We see His kindness towards us in His promises and in His faithfulness.
2 Corinthians 1:20-22 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first instalment that guarantees everything he has promised us.
The question you can ask Holy Spirit:
Do I agree with the promises of God on my life?
F - Fill your thoughts with gratitude
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
The result of allowing God’s grace to work in you to fill your thoughts with gratitude is the fruit of goodness.
Gratitude is a game changer.
Goodness ἀγαθωσύνη
Ephesians 5:6-10 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.
What pleases the Lord? Doing His will. What is His will?
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything and thank him in all things, knowing that’s his will for you. - Philippians 4:6-7
The question you can ask Holy Spirit:
What can I choose to feel grateful for right now?
O - Only let His voice hold sway
Philippians 4:8-9 NLT And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
The result of allowing God’s grace to work in you to only let His voice hold sway is the fruit of faithfulness.
Faithfulness - πίστις
Luke 17:3-5 NIVUK So watch yourselves. ‘If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying “I repent,” you must forgive them.’ The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’
What Jesus said next is really amazing.
Luke 17:6-10 NLT The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you! When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”
What is he saying?
“If you want faith, be faithful. Obey what I say, even if it seems impossible.”
We need to only let his voice hold sway. When he says “go” we go. When he says “stay” we stay. When he says, “Love” we love. When he says “Trust” we trust.
Jesus said.
John 10:10 NIVUK The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
His words are life. Why do we allow other voices to drown his voice out? Holy Spirit will empower us to only listen to His voice.
The question you can ask Holy Spirit:
Do I agree with words of life or words of death?
R - Remember He will finish the good work He’s started
Philippians 1:6 NLT And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
The result of allowing God’s grace to work in you to remember He will finish the Good work He’s started is the fruit of gentleness.
Gentleness - πραότης
Galatians 6:1NLT Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
1 Peter 3:15 NIVUK But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Gentleness is important for those inside the church and those asking us about the hope we have.
We can be gentle when we remember God is God and we’re not and that’s a good thing. When we trust him to finish the good work he’s started in us, we can trust him to finish the good work he’s started in others. Since he gently leads us, we can show gentleness to others. It’s not up to me to see people transform. That’s Holy Spirit’s job. My job is, with His help, to love. And when I love, I am gentle.
The question you can ask Holy Spirit:
Am I confident You will finish the good work You’ve started in me… and others?
M - Move to the rhythms of His grace
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
The result of allowing God’s grace to work in you to move to the rhythms of His grace is the fruit of self control.
Self Control - ἐγκράτεια
2 Peter 1:5-8 NIVUK For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
You don’t want to be ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of Jesus. The good news is that it’s Holy Spirit who works in you can add
Faith to Goodness to Knowledge to Self-control to Perseverance to Godliness to Brotherly kindness to Love.
He’s the one at work in you to make you look more and more and more like Jesus.
Jesus said “my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Keeping yourself - with Holy Spirit’s help - to His yoke takes self control.
The question you can ask Holy Spirit:
Am I moving to the rhythms of His grace?
TRANSFORM
T - Trust God cares for you.
R - Remember to obey what He tells you to do
A - Agree to work as unto the Lord.
N - Never forget what He’s done.
S - Stand on His promises to you.
F - Fill your thoughts with gratitude.
O - Only let His voice hold sway.
R - Remember he will finish the good work He’s started.
M - Move to the rhythms of His grace.
It’s only with Holy Spirit’s help that we can do any of these things. He empowers us to accomplish every good work prompted by our faith. He’s the one
We have a lot of questions we can ask Holy Spirit. We’ll make space now to listen to what He says…
Do I know that You care? Do I cast my cares on you?
Have I been stuck because I have missed or even refused to obey something You said?
Do I do all that I do like I’m working for Jesus?
Lord, what do You want me to remember about your goodness to me?
Do I agree with the promises of God on my life?
What can I choose to feel grateful for right now?
Do I agree with words of life or words of death?
Am I confident You will finish the good work you’ve started in me and others?
One of the most important lessons found in the Bible is to speak the truth in love. This practice is essential for spiritual growth and developing a closer connection with Jesus Christ. It can be difficult to remain honest while still being kind, so it’s important to understand why this practice matters and how to apply it in our everyday lives. Learn more in the Message Speak the Truth in Love.
Ephesians 4:15-30 Holman Christian Standard Bible But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ. From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part. Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their thoughts. They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more. But that is not how you learned about the Messiah, assuming you heard about Him and were taught by Him, because the truth is in Jesus. You took off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires; you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; you put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth. Since you put away lying, Speak the truth, each one to his neighbour, because we are members of one another. Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the Devil an opportunity. The thief must no longer steal. Instead, he must do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by Him for the day of redemption.
Can I pray?
I remember a conversation I had with a friend who was a leader in a church. She was saying something she said someone that really seemed harsh to me. She could tell by my face I was taken back by what she said.
Her retort was “We’re supposed to speak to the truth.”
To which I said, “The verse is …Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.”
She had realized, while it was the truth, it wasn’t the truth in love. She went to apologize.
So let’s start with the starting place.
What is truth?
That’s what Pilate asked when he was questioning Jesus and Jesus said he was born and came into the world to testify to the truth and the all who love the truth will recognize what he says is true John 18:37-38
Jesus had already declared in John 14:6 that
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
Jesus is the truth. We speak the truth in love to one another to build up each of us to more and more like Jesus. Hmmm…
Truth is not truth that I assume is the truth.
Truth is not my opinion.
Truth is not what’s popular to those I agree with.
Jesus said, “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
Jesus is the truth. He’s what we share in love. And as we share Him in love we all build up each other to become more and more like Jesus.
John also describes Jesus as the Word, the λόγος,
Jesus is the living λόγος
The Bible is the written λόγος
If you want to know what the truth is, find out the revelation of Jesus in the the written word. It is living and active and sharper than any two edge sword Hebrews 4:12 It shows you what the living Jesus wants you to know about Him.
What is love?
What is the love we’re supposed to be speaking the truth in?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
This is ἀγάπη love. It’s the same kind of love that’s in Ephesians 4:15. ἀγάπη love is that love that is a decision, a choice.
It’s our choice to speak the truth in love.
Why Speak Truth in Love?
Ephesians 4:15 tells us that speaking the truth in love helps us grow as believers. It brings about maturity for the individual and the church as a whole. Verse 14 tells us more about why,
Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.
As mature believers we are equipped for God’s good, worked out in and through us.
Ephesians 4:25 Speak the truth, each one to his neighbour, because we are members of one another.
We speak the truth in love to pursue growth and maturity that edifies the community of believers, because we are members of one another.
To sum up:
Speaking the truth in love is speaking that which is doctrinally correct and that which proceeds from a biblically committed life to a person who is in need of correction. It is done in love for the benefit of one who needs some adjustment to their attitudes or their actions.
Three reasons we might be afraid to speak the truth in love
The first reason we don’t speak the truth in love is fear of others. We are afraid of losing friendships or straining relationships. Unfortunately, this just compounds our own sin. In Galatians 1:10 , Paul warns us that if we are people-pleasers, we are not servants of Christ.
Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. Galatians 1:10
Another reason we don’t speak to others when it is needed is because of fear of rejection. It’s possible that we’ll be labeled as judgmental or self-righteous. When this happens, we can take great comfort in 1 Peter 2:20-24
Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.
A further reason we don’t speak the truth in love is because we fear not knowing what to say. While this concern is legitimate, it’s one that can be easily remedied by being prepared. Paul is clear in Romans 15:14 that all believers are able to help each other, and in 2 Timothy 2:15 Paul tells us how to be ready for this task. We are competent to counsel, but we must know what the Word of God says so that we know how to address each situation. And by the way, Jesus told us the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say. (Luke 12:12)
Luke 12:12 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”
We can’t let fear keep us from speaking the truth in love.
Remember last week’s message? We are only to fear God.
Remember:
Proverbs 27:6 Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.
How do you speak the truth in love?
We must remember, this is not about us; it is about the spiritual welfare of others. We also do this is because it is a command, as seen in Ephesians 4, Matthew 18:15-17 and James 5:19-20.
Be KIND
K - Know you can be like Jesus. Eph.4:20 -21
I - Impart life when you impart correction. Eph.4:26
N - Never not encourage. Eph.4:29
D - Do not grieve Holy Spirit. Eph.4:30
K - Know you can be like Jesus
Ephesians 4:20 -21 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,
The Bible tells us that Jesus is “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
He spoke the truth in love to a woman by a well in John 4. Just by starting a conversation with her and asking for a drink of water, Jesus broke social norms of race and gender that would prevent a Jewish man from even talking to a Samaritan woman. Then he, after pointing out intimate details of unhealthy patterns she had, offered her hope and true satisfaction through a relationship with Him by faith.
Jesus offers love and acceptance alongside truth. Remember that your goal in speaking is to help others see how Jesus’ death and resurrection gives them a greater life than what the world offers.
Do I know I can be like Jesus?
I - Impart life when you impart correction.
Ephesians 4:26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,
It’s OK to be angry, but don’t sin in your anger (Ephesians 4:26). Your words have the power to restore and creatively rebuild, but they also have the power to harm relationships in a lasting and damaging way (James 3:9-10).
Understand before being wanted to be understood.
Timely - don’t let the sun go down on your anger and don’t give the devil a foothold. v.27
Don’t nurse it, don’t rehearse it , don’t re-hash it, don’t bash it.
Am I reacting or intentionally building up?
N - Never not encourage
Ephesians 4:29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Know you’re not in the right place when you’re wanting to put someone else in their place.
Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
To knock someone off their high horse, you’re already on your own.
Ephesians 4:29b Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Realize you can judge to condemn or judge to discern.
One brings death and the other brings life.
Matthew 7:1-5 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
Does this hurt me to say this or am I enjoying taking the other person down a peg or two?
D - Do not grieve Holy Spirit
Ephesians 4:30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
How do you not grieve Holy Spirit?
Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Live the way he wants us to live.
Since you live by the Spirit, keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 Let His fruit grow in you and search the Spirit’s counsel before any exchange making sure to rely on the Spirit in your weakness.
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. Romans 8:26-27.
Am I grieving Holy Spirit in the way I’m living or what I’m saying?
K - Know you can be like Jesus. Eph.4:20 -21
I - Impart life when you impart correction. Eph.4:26
N - Never not encourage. Eph.4:29
D - Do not grieve Holy Spirit. Eph.4:30
What is the Result of Speaking the Truth in Love?
Paul gives us several results in 2 Timothy 2:24-26. (NLT)
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
God can change their hearts.
They can come to their senses.
They can escape from the devil’s trap.
The key is we gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Holy Spirit will give you the words. I’ve learned it’s often best to ask genuine questions.
Conclusion
Speaking the truth in love will be difficult and may seem costly in the short run. But it’s an investment God wants us to make. Like an investment; it pays more long-range dividends rather than short-term gains .
We speak the truth in love to pursue growth and maturity that edifies the community of believers. Ephesians 4:16
Reflection Questions
Is there someone God would have you speak the truth in love to?
You can purpose in your heart today to go begin or continue a loving discussion.
Is there something in your life you sense Holy Spirit wants you to get rid of before someone tries to speak to you in love about it?
You can confess and repent and walk in the freedom truth brings today.
This reflection helps you to trust the trustable One . A reflection is the truth of scripture that’s personalized with a question to help you think about how to apply it. Get the devotional at http://revtrev.link/fast. Subscribe to the podcast at https://revtrev.com/radio. #LiveLIGHT #Blessing #Peace #Hope #negativity #thoughts
Watch I trust the Trustable One Reflection - Livecast
You were created to walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day. Sin came into the world and you bore the consequences. Jesus came and reversed the curse and took your place and invited you to take his yoke that is easy and his burden that is light. You are a child of God creation longs to be revealed. You are a living LIGHT. Don’t conform but be transformed, so you can have peace, and joy and hope at all times in every situation.
I trust the Trustable One. I trust Him with all of my heart and have peace and joy and hope at all times and in every situation. I give up my right to understand, so I can have the peace that passes understanding. He keeps me in perfect peace because I trust in Him.
Have I had peace and joy and hope lately?
Today’s Devotional:
Day 35 - Look to What God is Doing, Not to What is left Undone
I help you fast from negativity and move to life-giving positivity. Learn more and sign up to get the 46 Daily Reflections, 46 Daily Devotionals AND the join a life-giving community so that you can move from toxic negativity to life-giving positivity. Get it all at http://revtrev.link/fast #LiveLIGHT #Blessing #Peace #Hope #negativity
How do you Speak the Truth in love? It’s tougher than you think. in this podcast find out 5 tips to help you do that today. Want to learn more? Join the community at http://revtrev.link/pathway or listen to more podcasts and subscribe at https://revtrev.com/radio
Listen to the Podcast - 5 Tips to Speak the Truth in Love
You were created to walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day. Sin came into the world and you bore the consequences. Jesus came and reversed the curse and took your place and invited you to take his yoke that is easy and his burden that is light. You are a child of God creation longs to be revealed. You are a living LIGHT. Don’t conform but be transformed, so you can have peace, and joy and hope at all times in every situation.
I help you fast from negativity and move to life-giving positivity. Learn more and sign up to get the 46 Daily Reflections, 46 Daily Devotionals AND the join a life-giving community so that you can move from toxic negativity to life-giving positivity. Get it all at http://revtrev.link/fast #LiveLIGHT #Blessing #Peace #Hope #negativity
Do you look around at all the problems in the world and don’t know where to start?
Do you look around at all the problems in the world and don’t know where to start? You are the light of the world. The darker the night the brighter the light. Here are three tips to not get overwhelmed with injustice. Listen to this episode on the Live LIGHT App https://revtrev.com/app
People need the words of life. Are you ready to speak them? Here are 5 tips to do that today. Listen to this episode and and past ones on the Live LIGHT App https://revtrev.com/app
How to helps us connect with others on Google Places
http://hcconline.ca is a church in Edmonton Alberta that is helping people connect with people searching online with the truth about God and His love for the... From: SocialMediaPastor Views: 2
I wrote a post on 18 pastors I could never trust. I thought it would be good to turn the table and give you some thoughts to consider why you might not be able to trust your pastor to tell you the truth.
Let's assume your pastor is a godly person who seeks hard after God and does what is
