One of the heaviest burdens that Jesus lifted from those who listened was the many man-made rules and traditions of the Pharisees. It was a burden they, themselves could not carry. Jesus reserved His harshest words for them and their repressive control of the people.
He spoke truth that was absolute. He spoke with authority. God’s Word records His absolute, authoritative truth that we are bound by. Today we will consider the characteristics of a truth speaker.
1. A truth speaker is governed by God’s standard in His Word, nothing more, nothing less. It is our responsibility in our lives, ministries and in the Church to be biblical, nothing more, nothing less. (Hebrews 4:12-13)
2. A truth speaker will admit and speak the truth in keeping with the mind and heart of God accurately and honestly. (1 Jn. 1:6-10) Admitting and speaking the mind of God means that I will not deny the truth about myself and others as revealed to me by God in His Word even when it is unpopular, even when it hurts.
3. A Truth speaker is careful to base their beliefs and convictions on a careful study of God’s Word. (2 Tim. 2:15) We must study and use God's Word with honesty and integrity, not just to support our interpretations, beliefs and practices.
4. A truth speaker will be careful to leave no area of life, no practice unevaluated, but will scrutinize everything against the commands and principles of God’s Word. (Rom. 14:6) I cannot allow an area of my life or a single practice to go unevaluated, untouched, and unchanged by the truth no matter how painful it may be to admit the truth, change my practice, or give others freedom in their practice.
5. A truth speaker recognizes that the application of Biblical principles is the responsibility of each believer individually before God. (Rom. 14:10-14) Every believer has the responsibility and freedom to get before God and His Word and determine for themselves what God's Word is saying and how they must put it into practice in the multiple, varying circumstances and choices of life.
6. A truth speaker will not constrain others to practice the same application as them but will encourage them to honor their responsibility to follow the Word and the Spirit even if it leads them to a different practice. (Rom. 14:10-14) Our convictions or preferences even though based on the Word of God are not the standard. God's Word alone is the standard. We must be careful to resist holding others to our preferences and convictions and allow them to exercise their God-given responsibility to search the scriptures for themselves to determine how God would have them put His Word into practice.
7. A truth speaker will not allow the traditions or rules of men to take priority over honoring the clear commands of God’s Word but will continually evaluate and assure that God’s Word is being followed. (Mark 7:1-9) Care must be given to assuring that man made traditions and rules do not replace or detract from fulfilling the commands and principles of scripture.
Are You A Truth Speaker?
Soli Deo Gloria
Tomorrow: Learning for Life (Isaiah 50:4b)
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