eKidz Devotional: All About Discerning TruthSample

Speaking Truth With Love 

Have you ever disagreed with someone? Maybe you disagreed with a parent or guardian over what time to go to bed or when to take your shower, or you disagreed with a friend about telling your parents the truth because you were afraid of getting into trouble. How did you respond? Did you yell at them, stomp your feet, and walk away? Pretended you didn’t hear what they said? 

It’s okay to disagree, but it’s not okay to treat people unkindly. In Acts 15:36-41, Paul and Barnabas, who were friends and partners on their mission to tell others about Jesus, disagreed on whether or not John Mark should join them on their next trip. Barnabas wanted to take him, but Paul strongly disagreed. The Bible says their disagreement was so sharp that they decided to split up and not travel together. Does that sound like speaking truth in love to you? Nope, we don’t think so either!

In the last episode of “Out Of The Shadows,” Glacia and Leo were arguing a LOT. There were some things they disagreed on. Check out this clip to hear what happened.

Tank stepped in and helped Glacia and Leo understand that even when we have disagreements, we can speak truth to each other with love. That’s one of the best ways we can show love to others like Jesus!

Ask Yourself: How does the Bible say Jesus treated others? When you disagree with someone, how can Jesus’s example show you what to do or say next?

Challenge Yourself: Speak with love and grace! The next time you get into a disagreement, instead of getting mad, do what Jesus would do. Show the other person grace and love. Listen to them so you can better understand them instead of trying to force them to see your point of view. Then speak the truth with love and kindness!

Pray: God, thank You for always showing me how I should treat others. Please help me to listen first and speak second. Help me to speak truth with love and grace. In Jesus’s name, amen.