Do you love Jesus? Do you believe in God’s Word? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then why are you dishonest with your communications with people you do not know and acquaintances? Election season serves as the example of the disconnect between people within our nation religious or not. Two things are missing from the everyday discourse that shows the world is winning over Christ. Honesty and humility are the missing keys to reaching a person’s heart and willing change. We forget that Jesus did not reach people through public debate, finger-pointing or public shaming.
Jesus knew that honesty exposes vulnerability and humility means not taking advantage of the exposed weakness. Jesus understood that winning an argument of someone’s heart but losing the war of the soul is never worth it. This is why Jesus’s main defensive of critics was not to answer questions because Jesus demonstrated true love of his fellow man. The most honest worldly phrase is that you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make them drink. Many Christians when communicating attempt to force people to drink Christianity abandoning humility and being honest which results in resentment for them and Christ. There are numerous examples of Jesus being honest and humble in the gospels.
In Matthew 19:17, how does Jesus answer the question from the rich young ruler? Jesus answers his question with a question? What good shall I do that I may obtain eternal life? Jesus’s answer, “Why, are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” The next step that Jesus took was actively listening to the rich man’s answer. Once the rich man’s honest answer was provided, then He answers him. Jesus answer was to abandon worldly pursuits and commit to following Him. The rich man’s honest response was to grieve, knowing that he was unable to commit to following Jesus. Jesus did not make any further statements toward the rich man. Why, because Jesus was honest and humble and knew it is best to leave the door open for change rather than slam the door of change closed with an unwarranted closing argument.
Want to bring honesty back to everyday discourse? Embrace the qualities of Jesus of honesty and humanity and allow for honest introspection of the heart. Make intellectual honesty and humility great again.
Bible Thoughts With Will Brown 