Ephesians 4:15

“but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into Him, who is the head, even Christ”

“Speaking truth in love”: “But we shall lovingly hold to the truth” (Wey). “Dealing truly or cherishing truth” (Erdman p. 92). It is not enough for the church to believe the truth, it must speak it (1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Thessalonians 1:8), and it must present the truth from the motives of love for God and love for souls. (1 Peter 1:15). Effective teaching and preaching must have true passion behind it. We are showing disrespect when we present God's truth on. platter than is apathetic, cold, and uncaring (2 Timothy 2:24). "Speaking the truth in love" also demands that when we teach and preach, we are completely above board and on the level with those we are teaching. Boles said, “they must adhere to truth in every respect; they must practice absolute integrity. We do not combat the father of lies with guile” (p. 281). This involves telling people everything they need to hear, and being completely honest with the word of God. Religious error is not successfully countered by compromise, or misrepresentation, rather false teaching is to be fought by presenting God's truth with complete integrity and with. true love for those whom we are preaching. Years ago someone asked an up and coming preacher, “Do you love to preach to people?” The response was “Yes”. Then the young man was asked, “But do you love the people you preach to?” “May grow up in all things to Him”: Christ is the standard for the Christian in "all things", and speaking the truth in love is an essential element in this process to maturity. You just cannot grow up spiritually and be like Christ, without loving God's truth and being willing to defend and proclaim it. “Who is the head, even Christ”: Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18; Colossians 1:24.