“But speaking the truth in love, we may grow up in all things into Him, who is the head, even Christ.” Ephesians 4:15
By Bro. John L. Cash, “Country Preacher Dad”
When my son Seth was about 5-years-old, he gave me quite a scare. I walked into the living room to find him curled up in a fetal position, both hands clutching his stomach. His expression was twisted with pain, and his complexion was a pale greenish-gray. My first instinct was that he had eaten something toxic.
“Seth, what has happened?” I exclaimed. He lifted his index finger and replied, “Those things.” He pointed to an open 3-pound bag of “Orange Slices Candy” that a co-worker had given me for my birthday. I asked him how many he had eaten, and I will never forget his answer: “About seven. Dad, I hate those things.”
Surprisingly enough, the Holy Scriptures address such mundane matters as this. In the writings of King Solomon we read, “If you find honey, eat just enough–too much of it, and you will vomit.” (Proverbs 25:16). The Bible is telling us something we all have experienced–that too much of a good thing can be bad. But the teachings of Scripture go even further than that. Too much of anything can be bad.
As Christians we walk a fine line in our service of the Lord. We are to speak the truth to others—but not to the point that we cause heartaches by our impatience and tactlessness. We are to live lives of love—but not to the point that we tolerate violence or the mistreatment of the helpless. How do we reconcile these opposing virtues? Paul gives us the answer in his letter to the Ephesians, with his admonition to “Speak the truth in love.”
Dear mamas, do you need more balance in your life? This week, ask the Savior to work in your heart to give you wisdom and insight to see the world according to His priorities. Seek His blessing as you strive to speak words that are both loving and true. Then your “slice” of life will be very sweet indeed!
Dr. John L. Cash is the “Country Preacher Dad” He was raised in Stuttgart, Arkansas, and is beginning his 25th year of being a country preacher in the piney woods five miles south of the little town of Hickory, Mississippi. He and his lovely wife, Susan, and his sons, Spencer (age 18) and Seth (age 15) live in the parsonage next door to the Antioch Christian Church” (where the preacher’s family all sampled a bag of orange slices just last week). You should write him at extramailbox@juno.com.
