Some truth is hard for people to accept. Think of yourself as a doctor who must inform a patient that tests reveal cancer in his body. Would it be an act of love for the doctor to avoid the bad news? Cancer is so serious that doctors must be honest. They must explain frankly and urge the patient to receive treatment. To ignore or to dilute the truth—even from a desire not to offend—is most unloving because, as the cancer spreads unchecked, the result is death.
Sin is the spiritual equivalent of deadly illnesses (Psalm 38:3; Ecclesiastes 9:3; Isaiah 1:6; 64:6; Jeremiah 6:7; 17:9; 30:12). Like a good doctor, we tell the truth because that is the loving thing to do, even if the truth seems harsh.
- John the Baptizer did this (Matthew 3:7; 14:4).
- Jesus did this (Matthew 11:21-24; 15:1-9; 22:29; 23:13-37).
- Peter did this (Acts 2:36; 3:13-15; 5:3-5; 8:20-23).
- Paul did this (Acts 18:6; 28:25-28; Galatians 1:6-9; 2:11; 3:1; 5:12).
- Other inspired writers did this (Hebrews 10:26-31; James 4:1-4; Jude 1:10-13).
In order to save lives, we too are willing to confront people as the need arises.
Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. … Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue (Proverbs 27:5-6; 28:23 cf. Leviticus 19:17; Psalm 141:5; Ecclesiastes 7:5).