The Truth Is Blunt, So Why Aren't We?

"It's unbelievable how many relationships and friendships are ruined because we would rather lie to comfort someone than tell the truth and see it hurt them. The pain from the truth will never last as long as the pain when the lie is revealed." -Seth Gattuso

My friend, Seth, posted this on his Facebook status a few months ago, and it kind of sparked my attention. I've been thinking about writing on the topic of truth for awhile now, and I guess this kinda gave me a kick in the butt to get a move on.

I chose this picture above, because I have heard and seen this quote too many times recently. It's actually sad the way the world's thinking has twisted what God has said. "Unity is Greater than Truth?" REALLY????? You'd rather be surrounded by ignorant people while you are all lied to than stand alone on the truth? (some people have really lowered their standards)

It's funny, I saw another picture that was similar to this one awhile back. It said, "I'd rather walk in darkness with friends than stand alone in the light." I actually laughed out loud after reading this. I thought to myself, "Isn't it common sense that if you choose to be with your friends in darkness, you all end up falling? One in light is much better off."

But that's not how the world thinks these days; they aren't blunt (and I mean in a straightforward way not in a sassy rude way).  For example: people aren't even blunt enough to let their children lose in sports anymore. Everyone gets a trophy, and everyone's a winner because no one was keeping score! They literally wash down things as small as winning and losing.

They have twisted biblical standards and would rather lower their status to ignorance and stupidity. Even worse, Christians sometimes follow or don't say anything at all instead of being alone standing on God's truth. I shouldn't even say "the world thinks this way", because I have brothers in Christ that do it too. I shouldn't even say "brothers in Christ" either, because I do this myself. I guess we all probably do this in different shapes and sizes.

"The truth is blunt, so why aren't we?" -Truth Part One (honesty with others and yourself)

Think about the title of this post. How do those words effect you? Let's think through this logically.

Well, the opposite of the truth is a lie, and the opposite of blunt is sensitive. So if we're not speaking truth, we're speaking deceit. If we are not being blunt, we are sugarcoating. That's heavy! Think of the weight that statement carries now. How many times have you maybe withheld the truth, or maybe said something "slightly true", or didn't say what was really true at all? Those all fall under the sugarcoated deceit category instead of the blunt truth.

Let's try this; pick one of the following statements that you think describes you:
"The truth is blunt; so am I."
"The lie is sugarcoated; so am I."
I know this may seem silly, but this is important. You are probably not perfect, and you will probably pick the second statement. You could be lying to others or even yourself. As a Christian you should be striving to be able to say you have been getting better at not lying to others and even yourself. 

Think of the quote from my friend stated up above. Has that happened to you? Have you covered up your past, beliefs, or opinion with a lie to attempt to save a friendship? Whether you did this in front of one friend or many, it isn't right. Honesty is the best policy (I know... so original).

Psalm 25:5(NKJV) Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.

"I'll just do it one more time."
"Everyone else is doing it. What's the differrence?
"It's not that bad."
"Okay, if I do it now, I won't do it later."
"Well, I already started. I might as well finish my sin."

Ever hear these voices in your head? These are examples of your lies. You have deceived yourself into making mistakes over and over again. It's sad, you say you are Christians, but sometimes drop this status and trade it in for ignorance when you come to times of temptation. Read these verses below. Maybe you can relate; I know I can!

Romans7:14-20 14(NIV) We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

After all this, maybe you are wondering how do you speak more truth? Here's what I think: fill yourself with truth, and truth will be produced. Simply, read the Word of God, and your words will be truthful. This goes two ways. The one way would be in honesty (telling someone the truth to a question), which I spoke about above. The second way would be in belief (telling someone the truth from the Word of God), which I will talk about in the remainder of this post. Either way, REMEMBER: fill yourself with truth, and truth will be produced.

John 8:31-32(NKJV) 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

"The truth is blunt; so why aren't we?" -Truth Part Two (belief)

When there is simply a time in life that you are asked to do something wrong, why is it so hard to just say, "No"? Maybe you aren't even asked; maybe you are just facing temptation. What makes it so difficult to tell yourself, "No"? I'll tell you what makes it difficult! Our sinful nature CRAVES to disappoint your Savior. As a Christian, you were made alive in Christ, but that doesn't mean it's not easier to just live like the dead man. Those old habits and sin sometimes creep into your life, desperately trying to deceive you.

I want to stress the truth in your personal life because it is so important that you know where you stand between you and God. If you can't come to an agreement within yourself, you won't be able to stand up for what you believe when you are around others. 

Romans 12:2(ESV) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Maybe you struggle with standing up for Christ. Instead of just simply saying, "stand up for Christ", let me give you some advice on how to do this. (This is subjective.)

Know what you believe based on the truth. Don't try to stand up for something that you don't know the answer to.

Say, for example, you believe sex before marriage is a sin, but you don't know why. You were just taught that. You don't even know if or where the Bible speaks about it. Do you think it's a great idea to tell someone else this is wrong? What will you say when they ask you why? "Because the Bible says so." Great advice; now you just annoyed your friend with the most simple, ignorant answer. 

It makes more sense to study out what the Bible says, where it says it, and why it says it first. If you can answer questions like these, when the situation/conversation comes, you will be prepared to bluntly stand up for what you believe. You won't sugarcoat the truth, or give halfhearted answers; you will know exactly what the Bible has to say about the topic.

You can't stand on what you don't even know. I know "Christians" that say that they believe Jesus died for them, but don't really know anything else about God or His Word. How can you say you stand on this truth if you don't study it? If you truly are a Christian, PROVE IT! Show your love for Christ by doing what He commands. Don't know what He commands? Maybe try reading His Word to find out! If you live half-heatedly for Christ, you will never be the one standing on the truth.

Proverbs 3:5-6(KJV) 5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

To be like Christ, you need to know His ways. Think of some of His encounters with the Pharisees; He was blunt when He spoke the truth. Doesn't sound loving at first, but realize that telling someone the truth of God IS being loving.

We need to do the same as Christ: speak the truth bluntly in love. How many "hot" topics are there today that Christians are considered "haters" for? If Christians answered people with more than just "because the Bible says so", maybe there would be different answers from the world. Maybe we'd be less of haters towards their choices and be seen more as lovers of what our God says.

I'm not saying we won't be hated; the Bible teaches that the world is against God. But if you don't know what you believe, you will be a laughing stock for Christ instead of a witness. Be prepared for the opportunities to witness. Study His Word so you can stand on truth. Don't follow the lies of this world. Line up what they say with what God says, and don't be afraid to speak up for what is right. 

James 4:17 (ESV) So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

I know this is very long and drawn out, but the basic truth of standing up for Christ is much easier said than done. Just know that if you are the only one standing on truth, not following the crowd, you're not truly alone. Your Father is looking down saying, "Well done my good and faithful servant."

Romans 12:21 (ESV) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.