Is being blunt always a good thing? Can one be too blunt? If one isn't blunt, are they necessarily compromising or sugar coating?
Hello Brother David,
First, I want to say that I agree 100% with what Pastor Roger has said.
I think that the REAL answer to this question with all of the possible side issues and circumstances can only be KNOWN by GOD.
If we are talking about GOD'S WORD and HIS GOOD NEWS, I firmly believe that it should be FULL-STRENGTH. That's the way that GOD Gave it and the way that HE intended it. This, ALONE, would make Christians hated by the world - those who love darkness. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the WORD OF GOD. One of the first steps to SALVATION is the realization of SIN - wrong-doing.
Brother David, the above doesn't address radical extremes like the Westborro Baptist Church. GOD'S WORD doesn't tell us to yell, scream, and curse at people in the most cruel ways. They are definitely driving people away from them and NOT toward GOD. If someone doesn't like us, but it leads to them accepting CHRIST, that's fine. We aren't in the business of trying to win a beauty contest or a popularity contest, BUT GOD didn't tell us to be RADICAL EXTREMISTS like some of the false religions today. The TRUTH of GOD'S WORD is harsh enough, and it's "sharper than any two-edged sword."
However, one can be TOO blunt unnecessarily, and I'm guilty of that too often. I have the leading and conviction that I am, so this is something that I pray about often. On the other side of the coin, there are full-time servants of GOD who are of the fire and brimstone type that GOD uses for HIS Purposes. I'm not claiming that of myself and view many of my times of bluntness as failures. I'm not going to try and justify all of my times of bluntness. I would ask all to read the Portion of Scripture Below and ask all Christians to pray for guidance - not just for themselves but for other Christians who are trying to serve GOD.
Love In Christ,
Tom
2 Timothy 4:1-4 KJV I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Timothy 4:1-4 AMP I CHARGE [you] in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by (in the light of) His coming and His kingdom: 2 Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold, 4 And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions.
