Willing to Warn

Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. —Ephesians 4:15

When 1 Corinthians 13 says that love bears all things, it doesn’t mean that we bear lies, wickedness, false teaching, or other things that are contrary to God’s laws. It’s not talking about covering for someone who is breaking the law or of a mate or a parent being involved in sexual, physical, or drug abuse.

However, many times the things we bring into the light are not those kinds of grievances but rather just things that have annoyed us personally. That’s when love will bear up.

When we truly love someone, we put things in the best possible light. We make allowances wherever possible. Yet love doesn’t justify sin; it doesn’t compromise with things that aren’t true. Love is willing to warn; it’s willing to correct. In fact, it must correct. It’s willing to exhort and rebuke and discipline. But love does not expose or broadcast failures and wrongs. It covers, and it protects.