This weekend, I went to my son’s new church and I was so pleased that they are not deniers of the truth. Sometimes, the Bible shares some tough truths and there are a lot of Christians who feel that it’s best to ignore ugly truths and focus only on the good things in life. Honestly, how I wish I could be one of those people. But God did not wire me that way. He made me a discerner.
Discerning can quickly morph into judgment–as every spiritual gift has its dark side. So I must be careful about that, but this weekend I was around someone who tried to shut down opposing opinions and say, “You can’t say that.”
Have you ever been told that you’re not supposed to feel a certain way? This is a trigger for me — I’m a feeler and I cannot change that. In the Psalms, David felt everything under the sun! His emotions ran the gamut. Now, we are not to sin in our emotions, but to deny them only makes us live inauthentically.
As Christians, God gave us feelings and emotions for a reason. They are warning signs. They lead us to prayer and deeper self-awareness — and hopefully, growth. We should not be afraid of feelings and harsh truths. We should be afraid of pretty lies because they enable sin to go underground and become insidious. In my experience, the wolf in sheep’s clothing is by far, the most dangerous type of person. They are the yeast in the dough.
Telling someone a hard truth is not the easy route, but we are to be as gentle as doves and as wise as serpents. My experience is that we all need more of one side or the other. Offering the truth is love, for me, is better than denying it to live in a false bubble.
How did God wire you?
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
Christians Read 
I agree, Kristin. Sometimes I like to avoid the truth, but unfortunately it finds me. Or maybe fortunately. I did a recent study of spiritual gifts, and mine seems to be compassion. The downside is taking on too much of someone else’s pain. So NOT fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we all like to avoid the truth sometimes. Being very empathetic can be hard on a soul. I avoid the news when I can.
LikeLike
Yes I agree Kristin we need to speak the truth, although sometimes it seems people don’t want to hear it. Do you have any tips for how to do this?
LikeLike
When I tell people a truth that they do not want to hear, I think I need to let go of the results. When my kids were little they had an Adam Racoon book in which Adam is told to go out and invite all the animals to dinner. (An allegory for the Gospel.) Adam, of course, picks and chooses who is worthy of being invited. I always think of that little story when I have to tell someone something they may not want to hear. If God has prodded me, I just have to do it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I agree and you’re brave to do it. Sometimes I give myself the excuse that they’re not going to listen to me so I shouldn’t tell them but that’s just an excuse.
LikeLike
Indeed,.truth
LikeLike