When is the truth...too much?

[Riverwalker]

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The truth of God's word can be brutal sometimes, especially when we are opposed to it.  But it remains the truth, a truth that can be used to save or to batter. I tend to fall on the side of "let the truth be told and let the chips fall where they may". And yet everything must be done in wisdom and in love.

1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 

It seems to me that that a balance must be struck, using the right word, in the right moment , in love. but without compromising the truth

Many people compromise the truth, being concerned about offending people,  but without the truth there is no salvation

But one has to be careful, to remain compassionate, for with out love, the truth profits nothing. It is so easy to fall into the practice of telling the profitless truth

And word sown on good ground produces much, but word sown on the stony ground avails nothing

So how do you balance the requirements?

So far I have come up with "consider twice and speak once" and "say what needs to be said, and then leave it alone, do not argue"

Yes, the Holy Spirit leads us, but we are all spun out of the womb with differing gifts, so we all have a slightly different approach

Romans 12 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

So again how do you approach the situation. To keep the balance between the truth that saves, the love that empowers and the wisdom to know when to speak.

 

 

Edited March 30, 2021 by Riverwalker

[Alive]

Not everything needs to be said at any given time, so I see this as an issue that doesn't have to be.

Truth--for a son of God--is meeted out in the measure that God know's is required--experientially.

Otherwise, it is only information. There is a difference. Wisdom knows.

The greatest danger is for one son to have a mission to 'straighten out' other sons. This never ends well.

If there is no mission? When in doubt? Be silent and fellowship instead. The Lord is always working.

[Riverwalker]

20 minutes ago, Alive said:

If there is no mission? When in doubt? Be silent and fellowship instead. The Lord is always working.

Don't we all have a mission?

Romans 10: 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

I agree we can set our own agendas, and goals and it always turns out bad....but how will they hear the truth, if we do not tell them?

Edited March 30, 2021 by Riverwalker

[timf]

It is an interest subject if the "Great Commission" is applicable to all Christians. Jesus told his disciples that this would be expected of them (perhaps in their anticipated role in Israel in anticipation of the establishment of the kingdom and Jesus ruling on earth from Jerusalem).

If one considers this a universal admonition to all of Christianity, it would seem such an important topic as to not be relatively left out of Paul's epistles. Paul asks for prayer for his own evangelism and admonishes Timothy to do the work of an evangelist (perhaps indicating the gift he was neglecting that he had received through the laying on of hands).

[Riverwalker]

1 

10 minutes ago, timf said:

It is an interest subject if the "Great Commission" is applicable to all Christians. Jesus told his disciples that this would be expected of them (perhaps in their anticipated role in Israel in anticipation of the establishment of the kingdom and Jesus ruling on earth from Jerusalem).

If one considers this a universal admonition to all of Christianity, it would seem such an important topic as to not be relatively left out of Paul's epistles. Paul asks for prayer for his own evangelism and admonishes Timothy to do the work of an evangelist (perhaps indicating the gift he was neglecting that he had received through the laying on of hands).

Ephesians 4  tells us that the purpose of the fivefold ministry, including that of the evangelist is to prepare US for the work of the ministry

Ephesians 4: 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry

 

 

Edited March 30, 2021 by Riverwalker

[OneLight]

Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as He knows when to say what.  We also need to follow His leading for us as well.

[Arrabon]

@Riverwalker

Proverbs 1:2-7, (2)"make you ear attentive to wisdom. incline you ear to understanding: (3) for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding: (4)If you seek her as silver, and search for her as hidden treasures; (5)Then you will discern the fear of the Lord, and discover the knowledge of God.(6) For the Lord gives wisdom; and from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.(7) He stores up sound wisdom for the upright.

Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

 

The first few verses above use the words attentive, cry for, lift your voice, and seek as hidden treasure, which I can relate to as not just reaching out to God in prayer, but as it says in Ephesians 4:6 in everything by prayer and supplication, make your request known to God.

Wisdom is such an indispensable part of the Christian experience, and is seldom given it's proper place in our daily walk.

The scriptures say to pray without ceasing, and that wisdom is the beginning of knowledge (what to do in everyday circumstances).

GODLY WISDOM is the source of finding answers to questions like yours, and without it, all you will be given is mans wisdom.

Prayer and seeking answers from the Holy Spirit should be the center of our daily lives, for in those are the revelations of all truths.

 

My name is Arrabon

 

Edited March 30, 2021 by Arrabon

[missmuffet]

1 hour ago, Riverwalker said:

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The truth of God's word can be brutal sometimes, especially when we are opposed to it.  But it remains the truth, a truth that can be used to save or to batter. I tend to fall on the side of "let the truth be told and let the chips fall where they may". And yet everything must be done in wisdom and in love.

1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 

It seems to me that that a balance must be struck, using the right word, in the right moment , in love. but without compromising the truth

Many people compromise the truth, being concerned about offending people,  but without the truth there is no salvation

But one has to be careful, to remain compassionate, for with out love, the truth profits nothing. It is so easy to fall into the practice of telling the profitless truth

And word sown on good ground produces much, but word sown on the stony ground avails nothing

So how do you balance the requirements?

So far I have come up with "consider twice and speak once" and "say what needs to be said, and then leave it alone, do not argue"

Yes, the Holy Spirit leads us, but we are all spun out of the womb with differing gifts, so we all have a slightly different approach

Romans 12 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

So again how do you approach the situation. To keep the balance between the truth that saves, the love that empowers and the wisdom to know when to speak.

 

 

Make the truth of God's word simple. A person needs to know the true Word of God in order to give that truth to another person. Pray for the person that God will open their heart. Then let it go. 

[johnthebaptist]

2 hours ago, Riverwalker said:

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The truth of God's word can be brutal sometimes, especially when we are opposed to it.  But it remains the truth, a truth that can be used to save or to batter. I tend to fall on the side of "let the truth be told and let the chips fall where they may". And yet everything must be done in wisdom and in love.

1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 

It seems to me that that a balance must be struck, using the right word, in the right moment , in love. but without compromising the truth

Many people compromise the truth, being concerned about offending people,  but without the truth there is no salvation

But one has to be careful, to remain compassionate, for with out love, the truth profits nothing. It is so easy to fall into the practice of telling the profitless truth

And word sown on good ground produces much, but word sown on the stony ground avails nothing

So how do you balance the requirements?

So far I have come up with "consider twice and speak once" and "say what needs to be said, and then leave it alone, do not argue"

Yes, the Holy Spirit leads us, but we are all spun out of the womb with differing gifts, so we all have a slightly different approach

Romans 12 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

So again how do you approach the situation. To keep the balance between the truth that saves, the love that empowers and the wisdom to know when to speak.

 

 

I would tend to go by, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

[Riverwalker]

2 hours ago, johnthebaptist said:

I would tend to go by, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Good advice that I have often thought about and I know I would the truth and correction.