“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones“(Proverbs 16:24 NKJV).
Chastisement of another is sometimes necessary. In the Christian community, the phrase “speak the truth in love” posits that admonishing or rebuking another is best accomplished when flowing from characteristics of truth and love as opposed to anger or retribution. But we can also choose to “speak truth and love” in better circumstances. Here is what I mean.
What attributes of Jesus come most quickly to your mind when you consider His time on earth, His ministry, and His interaction with people? John describes God as “love” (1 John 4:8b), so one attribute of Jesus must be love personified.
Paul, when encouraging Christians to live by the Holy Spirit described a Spirit filled life as one characterized by “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23), clearly attributes of Jesus.
Luke informs us that “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52 NKJV) when describing Jesus’ childhood. Jesus exhibited zeal and righteous anger when He cleared the Temple (Luke19:45), and often chastised the religious leaders for their hypocrisy, lack of compassion for others, and legalism (Cf. Luke 5:21-24, 6:1-11, and 11:17-54). His death on the cross revealed His mercy, humility, obedience to God, and His willingness to forgive others who sinned against Him.
But there is one characteristic that seldom gets attention: Jesus never hesitated to extend compliments to others. Here is a partial list of Jesus complimenting people: Peter (Matthew 16:17), the widow at the Temple (Mark 12:43), the Roman Centurion (Matthew 8:10), woman with issuance of blood (Matthew 9:22), Nathanael (John1:47), Zacchaeus (Luke 19:9b), Mary and the expensive jar of perfume (Mark 14:6-9), John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11a).
There is a remarkable distinction between flattery and compliments. Flattery has as a motive receiving something back from the recipient. Jesus did not flatter others. Jesus was quick to truthfully identify positive behaviors and character traits in others, and He complimented others publicly so that they were uplifted and encouraged. Jesus sought nothing in return. There is no surprise here—Jesus came to save the lost—His work, focused on changing and transforming lives, included loving people in their finest moments, and in their worst.
Jesus is truth. Jesus is love. Every time He spoke, He literally spoke the truth in love.
Words of encouragement, when delivered with truth and love, can change lives. As a Christian business leader, being alert to identify the good in others—in work, behavior, appearance, talent, and deeds—emulates Jesus. Speaking the truth in love honors His desire that we “grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).