Crossing the Line: Do These Pants Make Me Look Fat?

Do These Pants Make Me Look Fat?

Series: Crossing the Line

Noah McCormick

September 21, 2025

Ephesians 4:15 (NLT)

Truth without love is . Love without truth is .

1 Cor. 13:1 (NLT)

Love is the secret ingredient God wants us to use in all things…including how we share truth.

Three things the Bible teaches about honesty:

1. Truth isn’t a – it’s a , best given with

Colossians 4:6 (NLT)

Grace is best shown to others through intentionally kind conversations.

2. begins where ends

God made us all individuals, but that does not excuse us from growing to be more like Jesus.

Ephesians 6:13-14 (NLT)

Growing closer to Christ and imitating him more comes with standing firm with truth as your anchor.

3. Honesty begins in the heart – and

Speaking truth is about giving glory to God.

What hard, but loving, conversation have you been avoiding?

Discussion Questions

1. Ephesians 4:15 speaks about speaking the truth in love. Why do you think the combination of truth and love is so important? How might truth without love feel brutal, and love without truth feel hypocritical?
2. Noah emphasized that truth is a gift, not a weapon. What are some examples in your life where truth has been shared with grace, and how did that impact you?
3. Colossians 4:6 teaches that grace is shown through kind conversations. Can you think of a time when you were part of or witnessed a conversation that was both truthful and kind? How did it affect the outcome?
4. In discussing growth, Noah mentioned that growth begins where pretending ends. How does pretending or hiding parts of ourselves hinder our spiritual growth? What are some ways we can begin to be more authentic?
5. Noah said that speaking truth is about giving glory to God. How can we ensure that our words, even when they are difficult or uncomfortable, honor God? What does it look like to speak truth for the purpose of glorifying Him?
6. In what areas of your life have you struggled with balancing honesty and kindness? How do you know when you are crossing the line between being truthful and being unkind?
7. How does the way we share the truth with others influence their ability to grow in their own faith? In what ways can we help create a space for others to receive truth with grace?
8. When Noah mentioned that growth in Christ requires standing firm with truth as your anchor, what does it look like to have truth anchor you in the face of uncertainty or cultural pressures?
9. What is one practical step you can take this week to become more honest in your conversations, while also showing love and grace? How might this change your relationships or your witness to others?