Truth be told, how often do we hold back from telling people the truth because we don’t want to hurt their feelings? We talk about how Jesus loved everyone — which is true — but He never loved the sin that destroys the people He died to save.

We only have this one life to sort out our relationship with God. Yes, He loves us deeply, but His word is clear: I hate sin (Romans 12:9). And sometimes we wonder why people don’t believe us when we tell them they are fearfully and wonderfully made. It’s because we often ignore the truth in order to avoid offending someone — but deep down, they can feel when our words lack honesty.

Jesus showed love and compassion to the woman caught in adultery, but He didn’t say it was fine for her to keep living that way. His love spoke truth: go and sin no more.

John 4:24 says God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. So how can we expect unbelievers to embrace the truth of God’s word if they sense we aren’t being truthful ourselves?

The truth may upset some. You may lose friends. People may leave your church. But 1 Corinthians 13:6 reminds us that love does not rejoice in wrongdoing — it rejoices with the truth. God’s word is truth. And those who walk in darkness resist the truth.

John 3:20 says, Everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works be exposed.

So where does that leave us?

Speak the truth in love — not with harshness, not with hate. Let your light shine before people so they can see the love of the Father in you.