Hiding the Truth

Did you know? “Jesus did not suppress one word of truth, but He uttered it always in love.” (Steps to Christ 12.1)

Fascinating isn’t it? Jesus has never hidden even a word of truth, which also means all His speech was words of truth. That is why He said, “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” (Matthew 5:37)

Jesus did not hide a word from the truth. He stated the truth as the truth and sin as sin. Yet in sharing the truth, He did it with love. Though we are not to hide the truth, we need wisdom in sharing it to others. We ought to ask for His wisdom and guidance to show us the best time in sharing the truth. Even Jesus Himself did not open all truth to His disciples at once as mentioned in John 16:12, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.”

The next paragraph says, “He exercised the greatest tact and thoughtful, kind attention in His relationships with the people. He was never rude, never needlessly spoke a severe word, never gave needless pain to a sensitive soul. He did not censure human weakness. He spoke the truth, but always in love. He denounced hypocrisy, unbelief, and iniquity; but tears were in His voice as He uttered His scathing rebukes. He wept over Jerusalem, the city He loved, which refused to receive Him, the way, the truth, and the life. They had rejected Him, the Saviour, but He regarded them with pitying tenderness. His life was one of self-denial and thoughtful care for others. Every soul was precious in His eyes. While He ever bore Himself with divine dignity, He bowed with the tenderest regard to every member of the family of God. In all men He saw fallen souls whom it was His mission to save.” (Steps to Christ 12.1)

As we read the quote above, reflect it on our personal lives. There may be two questions to answer personally.

First, have we shared all truth and not hidden any of it? Or do we still hide some truths because we do not want to be left out, reviled, or even persecuted?

Remember what Jesus had said, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)

Second, in sharing the truth to others, have we done it in His Spirit and not with our ego? Have we said it in humility and not in an offensive way?

Remember the counsel given to us, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:6)

Thus, let us not hide any truth but to always share it with love.

Happy Sabbath and God bless all of us. Amen.