Perhaps we are people pleasing to make the people more important to us than truth.
When we speak the truth, it must be through the power of the Holy Spirit, not our own devices to entice the lost.
Matthew 10:21-23 "…21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone on account of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.…"
Those who persevere in spite of the hatred against them, are the ones who are born again. Anyone who gives up, capitulates to the pressures of the culture to remain friendly to unbelievers, are very likely not born again themselves.
Matthew 7:15
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves."
1 John 4:1-6
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. ..."
No where in the Word do we hear anything related to being sure to make people like us through our speech. The fact is that an authentic prophet of God, one who teaches truth, will be hated by unbelievers, however brothers and sisters in Christ will love them, they are family and accustomed to hearing truth.
When I was a child "hell, fire and brimstone" preaching was common, expected and appreciated among Christian gatherings. What has changed over the years? I can tell you what has changed, those who claim to be Christians do not know their Bible, nor do they want to. These people are satisfied with superficial worldly thinking, even thinking themselves to be wise while remaining spiritual babies.
Roman 1:21-22 "…21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, "
Those who speak truth in the power of the Holy Spirit are condemned by spiritual babies and non-believers, as mean spirited." Church attendees have gone from loving truth no matter how much it hurts to loving lies because they smooth the ego.
Proverbs 27:5-7 "…5 Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. 7 A sated man loathes honey, But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.…"
2 Timothy 4:3-4 " 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
Isaiah 30:9-11 "…9 For this is a rebellious people, false sons, Sons who refuse to listen To the instruction of the LORD; 10 Who say to the seers, "You must not see visions"; And to the prophets, "You must not prophesy to us what is right, Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions. 11"Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, Let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel."…"
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