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Are You Speaking in Love? Terrell Owens recently was suspended by the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL team) for conduct detrimental to the team. He made some comments that were offensive and critical of some of his teammates and the management of the team. His comments were his opinions and also the opinions of a sports reporter. Doesn’t he have the right to say whatever he wants? We live in a free country, don’t we? We have the right to say whatever we want. His opinions could be the truth. What does God say?
What Terrell Owens did was wrong. It was sin. Even if he spoke the truth, was it done in love. It is clear that it was not. He stirred up dissension. He was not building up his team. He was tearing it down. How can we learn from this? At work, at school, at play, at church people ask us questions. Sometimes it is best to not answer the question, especially if someone is going to be hurt by what is said. Sometimes it is best to not answer the question because the truth is hurtful. We speak the truth in love and in order to build someone up through correction and encouragement. As Christians we speak the truth. Frank, open, honest, forth-right conversation is good as long as we remember that we only speak the truth in love. Terrell Owens is considered a terrible teammate. What kind of teammate are we? We are on all sorts of teams. Team Family. Team Work. Team St. Mark. Team Nebraska Lutheran High School. Team WELS. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. |