UNPACK this...Chiefs vs. Buccaneers Super Bowl LVSample

Speaking The Truth In Love  

Tom Brady is back in the Super Bowl! This time he’s playing in a different uniform with someone else coaching on the sidelines.

Brady’s first season in Tampa Bay had some ups and downs as he got acclimated to his new team. When they lost, questions were raised about Head Coach, Bruce Arians, and the dynamic between him and his QB. Ultimately, the two successfully came together and helped bring the Bucs to the Super Bowl.

ESPN.com’s Jenna Laine wrote an article providing insight into how Arians builds relationships with his QBs and referenced Brady with this quote:

“Working with BA has been really great for me in a very different way. You know, he’s very tough on you when things aren’t the way they need to be.”

Arians explained his approach by acknowledging, “Sometimes you don’t like the truth, but I’m going to give you the truth and it’ll hurt for a minute, but it’s real…I think our guys appreciate that.”

Speaking the truth in love (even when it’s tough to do) is also important as followers of Jesus. This means we don’t arrogantly or angrily call others out just because something is true. Instead, we kindly approach them with the truth in love…hoping to motivate them to mature and become more like Jesus.

Just like a player needs his coach to be “tough on him when things aren’t the way they need to be,” we can point others to the truth of God’s Word and play a part in transforming their lives. At the same time, we need to be open to receiving the truth in love as well.

In Ephesians 4:15, Paul says, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

Bruce Arians builds relationships with his quarterbacks and speaks the truth not to hurt them, but to help them develop into more effective players. Today, let’s similarly understand the importance of speaking the truth in love so we can help others become more effective and healthy members of the body of believers.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, reveal the areas of my life that need changing. Help me to be humble, honest, and speak the truth in love…saying the right words at the appropriate time. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.