an offensive truth
The other day I heard someone say that they allow the truth to be offensive on it's own. They don't help it. I think that's important. The truth can be VERY offensive to people - and we don't have to add to that with our own opinions. Jesus was very good at this. He offended everyone - but always with the truth. Only when necessary to stress some thing's importance would he "overstate" it with a metaphor (plank in your eye, etc.). Most of the time he does it rather humorously.
It's all about motives. What are you trying to gain in telling people "truth?" Are you trying to win an argument? Are you trying to make yourself superior? Or are you simply trying to state fact? We are a competitive people that like to win - but when a discussion turns into a debate, it almost always ends badly. The other side stops listening and starts defending.
I remember in 9th grade biology when we did a mock debate. I convinced myself that our side was correct. Even though I knew that our side was the wrong side - I read just enough to justify my own claims and ignored just enough to not doubt them. That was an important tactic to ensure my own sincerity in pleading the case. Our team won!
People are much more willing to believe what they feel is right than the actual truth.
There's not much we can do about that. We can simply present the truth as it is. And pray. No one wins when we try to force other people to believe what they aren't ready to.
It's all about motives. What are you trying to gain in telling people "truth?" Are you trying to win an argument? Are you trying to make yourself superior? Or are you simply trying to state fact? We are a competitive people that like to win - but when a discussion turns into a debate, it almost always ends badly. The other side stops listening and starts defending.
I remember in 9th grade biology when we did a mock debate. I convinced myself that our side was correct. Even though I knew that our side was the wrong side - I read just enough to justify my own claims and ignored just enough to not doubt them. That was an important tactic to ensure my own sincerity in pleading the case. Our team won!
People are much more willing to believe what they feel is right than the actual truth.
There's not much we can do about that. We can simply present the truth as it is. And pray. No one wins when we try to force other people to believe what they aren't ready to.
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