The Mirror of the Word and other works by C.E. White can be purchased on her website, cewhitebooks.com or on Amazon

“If I speak with the tongues of mankind and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

—1 Corinthians 13:1

This chapter is so familiar that we often don’t grasp its depth, but taking time to meditate on its words is such a heart–check.

What is motivating our words? Do we speak just because we can? So people will think we’re smart or wise? So we can win arguments? Or is it out of love?

All reasons except the last render our words, at best, pointless, and at worst, harmful.

Our most eloquent speech is no more meaningful than a toddler banging kitchen pots and pans together if that speech has no love in it.

Love is the essential ingredient that gives our words power and makes them fruitful. How many times do we speak truth and try to correct others without seasoning our words with love? It’s a pointless endeavor.

The Lord gives no caveats here. He does not say, “It’s okay to speak without love if the people are really evil, have really hurt you, or have been speaking without love to you.” Even when speaking difficult truths to evil people, it should be done with love for the hearers.

This is a question to ask ourselves regularly: “Why do I want to speak into this circumstance or discussion? Is it because of love?”

Words of love can change lives. If we cannot look at the people in front of us and love them, we may as well remain silent and pray until what we want to say is truly motivated by love.

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