Are you so fearful of offending others in today’s culture that in reality you hold back the truth? Don’t be. Jesus wasn’t. Our Savior never made it a habit of being politically correct or inoffensive. In fact, His sharing the truth as revealed to Him by His Father, often offended many. Because He was familiar to the people in His hometown, the Bible tells us that His hometown crowd took offense and called Him just a “carpenter’s son.”

A while ago, after a fellow flight passenger asked me about a certain “hot button” here in the United States, I gave him an honest answer. I knew I was being set up, but I also knew I had the opportunity to speak God’s truth concerning the matter. (I have long learned that my opinion means little to most, so I try to stick with a reference from the word of God if I can.) Immediately he took offense and refused to speak to me the remainder of the flight.

One day Jesus was conversing with the Pharisees and told them they honor His Father with their lips only and their hearts are far from God. Further He told them that they worship in vain. Pretty bold truth. Later His disciples came to Him and said, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” What was Jesus’ response? “…They are blind guides.” (Matthew 13: 57)

Sometimes the way of the cross is offensive, but I am not saying or giving myself permission to simply go out and offend as many people as I can. Being a caustic, offensive person on purpose is stupid. I need to do my best to live at peace with all men, but never do I desire to become silent out of fear or embarrassment of my Lord’s truth. I am here to influence culture rather than allowing culture to influence me.

Jeremiah said these relevant words back in his day, “To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the Lord is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it. But…I cannot hold it in.” (Jeremiah 6: 10, 11) Let Jeremiah’s words ring in our ears and when we have a God-given opportunity to share truth don’t hold it in.