Seasoning Our Words

Part 3: Letting it Marinate (Speaking the Truth in Love)

June 9, 2024

Mexican Ceviche

Ingredients:

• Firm white fish: (Sea bass, tilapia, mahi mahi, snapper or grouper)
• Garlic
• Jalapeño pepper (no seeds = no heat/seeds = heat)
• 5 Limes
• 2 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
• Fresh Cilantro
• 1 Red onion
• 2 Tomatoes
• 1 Avocado
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions:

1. Chop and combine white fish, garlic, jalapeño, lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, cilantro, red onion, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
2. Press fish into the lime juice mixture so it is submerged. Cover bowl and refrigerate at least 4 hours (up to overnight), or until fish has turned completely white.
3. When ready to serve, mix in diced tomato, avocado and remaining cilantro. Serve alone or with tortilla chips and ENJOY!

"Someone who holds back the truth will cause trouble. But the one who openly criticizes {confronts} works for peace." (Proverbs 10:10, Good News)

"Speaking the truth in a spirit of love." (Ephesians 4:15, GN)

BEFORE WE EVER SPEAK TO ANYBODY IN LOVE:

1. Check your motives.

• Why do I need to speak to this person about this issue?
• Why do I want to speak to this person with the truth?

"Why worry about a speck in your friend's eyes when you have a log in your own?.... First get rid of the log in your own eye and then perhaps you'll see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye." (Matthew 7:3-5, New Living Translation)

"We tell you this as Christ's servants …. everything we do dear friends is for your benefit." (2 Corinthians 12:19, NLT)

2. Plan your conversation.

"Intelligent people think before they speak. What they say then is more persuasive." (Proverbs 16:23, GN)

"I wrote to you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you." (2 Corinthians 2:4, New International Version)

Consider:

• when to say it
• what to say
• how to say it

"It is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!" (Proverbs 15:23, NLT)

"The right word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver." (Proverbs 25:11, Contemporary English Version)

"Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword. Wisely spoken words can heal." (Proverbs 12:18, GN)

How to say it:

• Say it tactfully. "A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words the more persuasive he is." (Proverbs 16:21, GN)
• Say it lovingly. "I'm speaking as plainly as I can with great affection." (2 Corinthians 6:13, The Message)
• Say it gently. "If someone is trapped in sin, you should gently lead that person back to the right path." (Galatians 6:1, CEV)

"I'm writing these things not to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children." (1 Corinthians 4:14, NIV)

3. Give them reassurance.

"A word of encouragement does wonders." (Proverbs 12:25, Living Bible)

1. Reassure them that you deeply love and care for them.
2. Reassure them that you will pray for them and help them.
3. Reassure them that you believe they can change.

"I have great confidence in you, and I have a lot of reasons to be proud of you." (2 Corinthians 7:4, God's Word)

4. Risk their rejection.

"I know I have distressed you greatly with my letter and although I felt awful at the time I don't feel bad now that I see how it's turned out. The letter upset you but only for a while… you were jarred into turning things around. You let the distress bring you to God… And that's what I was hoping for in the first place when I wrote the letter." (2 Corinthians 7:8-11, MSG)

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