Throughout life, the wisdom of a seasoned mentor is an invaluable resource. It is a gift from God to have others who have walked a similar path and can provide us insight on the journey. In fact, it is so beneficial that God builds this intentional pattern into the Christian life (Titus 2:1-15). And the wisdom we gain from brothers and sisters in Christ, who have gone before us, is just as crucial in seeking to give others quality counsel from God’s Word.
What Speaking the Truth in Love Offers
Speaking the Truth in Love provides the reader with the godly wisdom of a seasoned counselor. In it, David Powlison reflects on the wisdom he has gained from his counseling of God’s Word with a variety of people and in a variety of circumstances. Powlison writes this book with an eye toward Ephesians 4 and how it has shaped his approach to care and counseling. Of this framework, he writes,
We might say that Ephesians 4+ is the neuro-skeletal system for everything in the pages that follow. In that spectacular revelation, we witness the essential elements of a church functioning as a community characterized by the dynamics of fruitful mutual counseling. Or we might put it another way, Speaking the Truth in Love seeks to recapture how the dynamics of fruitful mutual counseling characterize a church that functions as a community.[1]
Utilizing this framework, part one of the book unveils nuggets of wisdom Powlison has gained in seeking to walk alongside others truthfully and lovingly. In part two, Powlison casts a vision for ministry built upon deep reflections in Ephesians four. He gives the reader a paradigm of godly care for both the local church and Christians ministering outside the church. He also provides his vision for seminaries to cultivate and strengthen the biblical counseling movement as they seek to raise up future ministers of the gospel.
How Speaking the Truth in Love May Benefit You
As biblical counselors, we should often refine our craft. We should ask ourselves hard questions about the quality of our care. One crucial means of recalibrating ourselves can be gleaning wisdom from other, faithful biblical counselors. Personally, I need to engage others, learning from the way they handle God’s Word and care for others. This may come through education, friendships, mentorships, and writings. Powlison’s book is one of a few books I return to often to help me in this recalibration. At times, it is reading a chapter and reflecting upon myself and the care I offer. Might this book benefit you as you consider and refine your own care and counseling?
[1] David Powlison, Speaking the Truth in Love: Counsel in Community (Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, 2005), 3.
