I know right out of the gates, this one may be far from easy for some people. So let me ask you this question. Is it hard for you to tell someone the hard truth? Do you struggle with telling someone you love or care about the truth? If so, why is that? Is it because maybe you’re afraid of how he or she may feel or receive it? Or are you pretty bold and straightforward? Either way, let’s discover how to tell someone the hard truth, but also how to receive it when it’s our turn.
Jesus tells us in John 8:32, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” This verse is real, authentic, and transformational. It packs a lot of power when spoken and applied. The first part is knowing. The second part is that it will make you free!
With that being said, let’s start with how to tell someone the hard truth. First, pray. When telling someone the hard truth, you first need to ask the Lord what’s the best way to say it, when you need to approach them and how to speak it in love. You need wisdom for your delivery. I would also ask the Lord if you need to say anything at all or just pray. Sometimes a simple prayer works wonders!
However, if you know in your heart that the Holy Spirit is impressing upon you to be upfront about what you’ve seen, heard, or know that could potentially hurt this person naturally or spiritually, speak the truth. Don’t back down. Even if you’re shaking in your boots, let love drive you forward. And…GO!
Let me also add here that recognizing someone’s fault is not about being judgmental or prying in their personal affairs. That’s not the angle here. Instead, it’s about sincerely helping those whom you know need loving, sound, biblical correction or deliverance. They need the truth. And it should always be for their best interest.
So if you do in fact notice that your husband, child or children, family member, sister in Christ, friend, co-worker, or neighbor, is heading in the wrong direction, please caution them as the Holy Spirit leads you to do so. Tell them the truth, because think about it for a second. If you were going in the wrong direction on a busy intersection, wouldn’t you want someone to call you on it, blow the horn, and tell you, “You’re going the wrong way! STOP! Danger!”
I’ll never forget the first time when I read Proverbs 12:1 in the realest form, “To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.” Ouch!!! But thanks!!! Again, the truth hurts, but it will make us free! Let’s also not forget the Lord disciplines those whom He loves.
I know! Telling or receiving the hard truth is NOT easy. It’s sometimes embarrassing, quite humbling, and sometimes intimidating. However, it can be so transformational when well-received. Quite frankly, I’d rather someone tell me the truth over flattery or lying to me. How about you?
Personally, I’ve been in both situations. I’ve had to tell the truth to someone that I wasn’t sure if it would be received or scorned. To my surprise, it was well-received! The person told me, “Sis, tell me! I want to know the truth! Please don’t withhold the truth from me.” Amen!!! Now, that’s a woman who has a heart after God’s own heart – a woman who reverences the Lord and wants to please Him with her life. I feel the same way.
Bear in mind, I’ve also been there when someone had to tell me the hard truth. No doubt, it was a jagged pill to swallow (and I hate taking pills…I’m just saying). Yet, I knew that it was good medicine for my soul. It didn’t feel good going down (receiving it), but it helped, healed, and set me free in a major way. In the end, I thanked her for being bold!
I praise God for people who will tell me the truth from a sincere heart.
So…if you ever have to tell someone the truth, do it, sis. Show your love in action. Help the individual. And if that person does not receive it, don’t take it personally. Maybe they’ll get it later…or never (unfortunately). The thing is, you will have done your part to minister truth to him or her. Everyone has to choice, including you.
Remember, you and I also need to be corrected at times when we mess up or when we don’t realize that we’ve fallen short of the glory of God. That’s why our Heavenly Father places people in our lives who truly love us and who can catch our blind spots. So if you’re ever in either position, now you know how to tell or receive the truth. Just know that humility and love are the keys to transformational success…and true freedom.
Also, remember Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!
[written by Courtnaye Richard]
Source:
EmoticonEmoticon