Speaking the Truth to Those Who Don’t Want to Hear It

There is no “my” truth, and “your” truth; there is simply truth. How – and why – do we speak the truth to those who don’t want to hear it?

Scripture:       

Amos, chapters 1-3; Psalm 80; 2 Timothy, chapter 4

2 Timothy 4:1-5 (CEB):

I’m giving you this commission in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is coming to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearance and his kingdom. Preach the word. Be ready to do it whether it is convenient or inconvenient. Correct, confront, and encourage with patience and instruction. There will come a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. They will collect teachers who say what they want to hear because they are self-centered. They will turn their back on the truth and turn to myths. But you must keep control of yourself in all circumstances. Endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the good news, and carry out your service fully.

Observations: Speaking the Truth

Our Old Testament passage for today is the first three chapters of Amos.  Amos was a shepherd whom God called to speak the truth to his world. He begins by proclaiming God’s judgment on the traditional enemies of Israel:

• Damascus (1:3-5)
• Gaza (1:6-7)
• Ashdod (1:8)
• Tyre (1:9-10)
• Edom (1:11-12)
• Ammon (1:13-15)
• Moab (2:1-3)

Amos probably found it easy to make those pronouncements. After all, it’s natural for us to condemn our enemies. But then he announced the coming judgment on Judah and Israel (2:4-16). How could that happen? Why would God condemn his chosen people?

“Because they have rejected the Instruction of the Lord, and haven’t kept his laws” (2:4). “Because they have sold the innocent for silver, and those in need for a pair of sandals. They crush the head of the poor into the dust of the earth, and push the afflicted out of the way” (2:6-7). God called Amos to speak the truth to people who didn’t want to hear it – to his own people.

Speaking the Truth to Those Who Don’t Want to Hear It

That brings us to 2 Timothy 4, and Paul’s challenge to Timothy. “Correct, confront, and encourage with patience and instruction. There will come a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. They will collect teachers who say what they want to hear because they are self-centered.” I’ve reflected on these passages previously (“Rejecting the Truth”). This subject is popular among Christians; we apply it to those who reject the truth of Jesus’ Gospel.

But that’s not what Paul is talking about. He’s talking about people within the Church who don’t want to hear the truth. They are the ones who flock to teachers who say what they want to hear. They selectively interpret Scripture to support their ideas. We see this quite a bit in the political realm – people on both sides emphasizing some Scriptures and ignoring others to promote their candidates and policies.

Speaking the truth to those who don’t want to hear it means speaking to our own people – just like Amos did. While he started by pronouncing God’s judgment on the other nations, he didn’t spare his own people – Judah and Israel. Amos didn’t spare them, because God didn’t spare them. “You only have I loved so deeply of all the families of the earth. Therefore, I will punish you for all your wrongdoing” (Amos 3:2).  There’s no indication that Amos enjoyed this. In fact, he felt that he had no choice but to speak God’s truth.  “A lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy?”

Application: Speaking the Truth to Those Who Don’t Want to Hear It

We should not be surprised that many people don’t want to hear the truth. That’s not a new phenomenon. But the fact that it is not new doesn’t make it any easier for us to speak the truth. Many people have a superficial knowledge of Scripture. As Alexander Pope said, “A little learning is a dangerous thing.” We look deeply enough to find what we want to hear, and then stop looking.  That is a very dangerous thing spiritually!

“How can young people keep their paths pure? By guarding them according to what you’ve said” (Psalm 119:9). Psalm 119 is a detailed explanation of the importance of God’s commands, instruction, teaching, laws, and ordinances. “Your word is a lamp before my feet and a light for my journey” (Psalm 119:105). God calls us to study, understand, and live by his Word – the truth.

God’s judgment through Amos said that Judah had “rejected the Instruction of the Lord, and haven’t kept his laws” (2:4). Israel “sold the innocent for silver, and those in need for a pair of sandals” (2:6). When we focus on obeying God’s laws, we need to focus on all of them, not just the ones we find convenient. Amos condemned Israel’s mistreatment of the poor, they sexual immorality, their idolatry, and their rebellion. In the same way, we must speak the truth to those who don’t want to hear it – all of the truth. Political expediency does not override God’s truth!

Prayer:

Father, thank you for reminding us that your word is truth. You call us to speak the truth to those who don’t want to hear it. But you also call us to follow all of your truth. Truth is not subordinate to political platforms or popular opinion. Give us the strength to speak your truth, and help us to live according to your truth.  Amen.