Say What You Mean

I met a Christian brother, Howard, at a local tea shop yesterday. As we were talking about the world’s problems—and our proposed solutions—he asked the shop owner when she might attend one of his meetings.

Her response was short and direct.

In essence, she said, “I don’t have time to come to your meeting.” Then she went right back to her work.

Howard pressed a bit, suggesting she cancel her usual commitment during that time and attend instead. She replied just as plainly, “Your meeting isn’t going to make me any money.”

End of conversation.

That business owner clearly lives by say what you mean, even if it risks offending a paying customer.

And that got me thinking about how often we, as Christians, fail to do the same when it comes to defending our faith.

Yes, Scripture calls us to speak with gentleness and respect. But it’s rare to hear a believer actually say what they mean when sharing the gospel. Too often, we soften our words to avoid disagreement.

For example, when someone says, “There are many paths to the top of the mountain,” how do we respond?

Because we don’t want to offend, we default to something that sounds like a first-year counseling student:
“You feel confident that many paths can lead to God.”

Not me. Not anymore.

Now I’m more likely to say, “I agree—there may be many paths to the top of a mountain. But there is only one way to heaven: Jesus Christ.”

Say what you mean.

We can defend our faith in a loving and respectful way without intentionally offending others. But in the end, I would rather someone disagree with me than have God wonder whether I am lukewarm.

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“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:6 (NKJV)

“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” Revelation 3:16 (NKJV)