Should I just keep my mouth closed?

What I have to say is offensive but true, should I go ahead and say it?

The truth can be hard and offensive and if it is, then is it best left unsaid?

The world and the professing Christians who lean more on worldly philosophy instead of God’s word will tell you to keep your mouth shut.

Those professing Christians, had they lived during Jesus’ time, would likely have told Jesus to shut up as well.

Jesus was always discussing the most important things regarding life and death, especially in regards to eternity. He never stopped when others were offended as the truth would not be held back by Him. He would always press harder and deeper even if it meant people walking away from Him and rejecting the truth. The important thing is, we need to follow His lead and speak the truth through love and we should never water it down or hold it back in order to appease the hearers.

Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. John 6:60-66

I find it amazingly appropriate that the verse that speaks of those disciples rejecting Jesus is 6:66 (666) the number of man.

Are you afraid to say the hard saying of God to those who are perishing?

I love the example the apostles gave us in regards to this. They were beaten for preaching and teaching others about Jesus and were told by the religious authorities of their time to no longer do this. After they were beaten we are told the apostles went right back to preaching and teaching about Jesus Christ. They rejoiced that they were counted as worthy to suffer shame for Jesus' name.

If we could only have more people today with that sort of courage when it comes to the hard sayings!

And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts 5:40-42

But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 1 Peter 3:14-17

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:1-4

And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Jude 1:22-23

Remember, just because something is offensive does not mean it's not true. The truth hurts the offenders of God the most and these are the ones who will try to shut you up. Just be like the apostles and take the beatings and then get back out there and continue to speak the truth for God's glory!