So What Do You Think?

While I would never claim to have a good memory, I have this uncanny ability to remember useless trivia. Yes, for some reason, I can remember really random things about books, movies, and music. Let me just say that I kill at Trivial Pursuit.

In addition to useless trivia, I also remember odd scraps of conversations. For example, while I was in college, I was home for some holiday and I met up with a friend of mine to go shopping. She was on the hunt for a bathing suit and my job was to give an objective opinion. Not a difficult job I thought until she came out of the dressing room, looked me in eye and said, “You need to think carefully before you tell me your opinion.”

The atmosphere in the room suddenly changed as I quickly ascertained that honesty was not what she was seeking. I was there merely to affirm her decision. As I stood looking at her, there was no getting around the fact that the suit was not flattering. In my opinion, it was to the point of being a little embarrassing. However, it dawned on me that I wouldn’t be there when she wore it, and so I diplomatically said, “That’s a great color.”

All these years later, and I have never forgotten the conversation. In that dressing room, God gave me a glimpse of the frailty of the human mind. While we say we want to hear the truth, most of us really don’t. This epiphany has helped me to understand people’s desire for “yes men.” We surround ourselves with people who will parrot back to us exactly what we want to hear, and this weakness has been the cause of not only bad swimsuit decisions, but also wars, disasters, and broken lives.

However, as Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), we are called to speak God’s truth, the truth that sets us free (John 8:32). Yet sometimes being the harbinger of truth can put you in the crosshairs because, as I said, people don’t always want to hear it.  Just flip through the pages of the Old Testament for examples of what can happen to you when you deliver a message that is contrary to popular opinion.

For instance, tradition holds that the prophet Isaiah was martyred during the reign of King Manasseh. Although the Bible does not explicitly detail his death, Hebrews 11:37 alludes to prophets who were "sawed in two," a fate believed to have befallen Isaiah. Jeremiah also wasn’t known as the "weeping prophet" for nothing. He faced intense persecution for his prophecies against Judah. He was beaten, imprisoned, as well as thrown into a cistern (Jeremiah 20:2; 38:6). While the Bible does not record his death, tradition suggests he was stoned to death by his own people in Egypt.

There was also Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada the priest. He was stoned to death in the temple court for rebuking the people of Judah for their disobedience to God (2 Chronicles 24:20-21). Jesus later referenced his martyrdom in Matthew 23:35, highlighting the blood of the righteous shed throughout history.

We also know that the early church faced horrific persecution. Stephen was known for his powerful preaching and miracles, and his bold proclamation of the gospel led to his arrest and subsequent stoning by the Sanhedrin (Acts 7:54-60). His death marked the beginning of a wave of persecution against the early church, and Herod Agrippa would later order the execution of the apostle James by sword (Acts 12:1-2).

Of course, there was Paul who faced numerous hardships, including beatings, imprisonment, and shipwrecks (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Tradition holds that he was beheaded in Rome under Emperor Nero. The apostle Peter was also executed. In fact, Jesus foretold Peter's death, indicating that through it, he would glorify God (John 21:18-19). Tradition asserts that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome, as he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.

And the list goes on and on; so many saints who willingly went to their death rather than renounce what they knew to be true and “the world was not worthy of them.” (Hebrews 11:38) People like Polycarp, who was executed around 155-168 AD. While you may not be familiar with his name, he was the Bishop of Smyrna and was highly revered for his teachings and leadership within the Christian community. He was arrested after being betrayed by a servant, and despite being offered a chance to renounce his faith and swear allegiance to the Roman Emperor, he steadfastly refused stating, "Eighty-six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?"

His victory cry has echoed through the ages encouraging other saints to stay strong and not give up the fight, because sadly, persecution is still alive and well throughout the world. Even today we continue to hear of thousands of our brothers and sisters in Christ who have been imprisoned, harassed, tortured, and even executed in countries like Nigeria, North Korea, India, China, and Pakistan. Those who will join with the others who went before them as they call out, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” (Revelation 6:10)

So, what about us?

Thankfully we still have religious freedom in this country, but our beliefs are increasingly putting us at odds with society. In fact, you may find yourself being the only believer at your office, or your circle of friends, or even in your family. If so, are you willing to speak the truth of the gospel even if it means losing a promotion or a friendship? Will you stand firm even when you can hear the whispers and giggles as you walk by?

The thing is Satan wants us to be afraid of what people think. He wants the thought of rejection to keep us quiet, and we rationalize our silence by saying that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. We can’t make others believe, and while that is true, what if we were the one person who was supposed to have shared the good news of Jesus Christ with them. What if it was God’s plan for us that day and we missed it?

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Friends, it’s time to become bold!

I think of the prophet Jeremiah who said the word of God was like a fire in his heart, “a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” (Jeremiah 20:9) Lord, that we all would feel that way! That our boldness would silence Satan’s taunts!

Yet, we must also remember to do everything in love. As Paul said, without love, he was only a “resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1) Such good advice because what do we do when we hear a loud, obnoxious noise? We stick our fingers in our ears to drown it out!  Thus, Paul is telling us to speak the truth but do it a way that will draw people in and not push them away.

This is a big challenge for us, but our God is always ready to equip us with what we need; therefore, start praying and when opportunity knocks, do not be afraid to speak the truth. Always be ready to tell people about Jesus!

For the glory of God!  Lisa

Discussion Questions

Have you found yourself in a situation where speaking the truth was not what the other person wanted to hear?  If so, what did you do?

As we can see with the prophets, apostles and saints, speaking God’s message can get you into trouble. What can you begin to do today to strengthen your resolve to be God’s messenger regardless of the consequences? 

How are ways you can speak God’s truth in love?