Beech Tree News Network

            I am sure we are familiar with this term. Sometimes, when people talk, they are vague. Some try to spare our feelings about certain issues and will not speak in a plain way. Thus, we may tell folks to “tell it like it is” and stop trying to spare our feelings. It is necessary that we say things in a straightforward and understandable way, especially when souls are at stake.

            Such frankness can be refreshing when we want to hear the plain and simple truth. As we read the Bible, we find the prophets (II Sam. 12:7), the apostles (Acts 5:29), and Jesus Christ Himself (Lk. 13:3, 5) stating the truth in plain and simple language. In the Bible, we find many telling it “like it is” so that folks listening can understand God’s will (II Cor. 3:12). It does not help anyone if we “sugarcoat” the truth.

            Paul told Timothy to preach the word “in season and out of season” (II Tim. 4:2). This means to tell folks the truth when it is accepted and when it is not. Such preaching is telling it “like it is.” Those in sin need to understand that they are in sin so that they can repent (Acts 17:30). Folks who are righteous need to be encouraged to continue obeying God when it is hard to do (Gal. 6:9). People need to be reminded in plain words to let their light shine in the midst of a “crooked and perverse nation” (Matt. 5:14-16; Phil. 2:15).

            II Timothy 4 records sorrowful words. Paul told Timothy that some will not listen to the truth. They do not want to hear things “like it is.” Instead, they look for teachers who will scratch their ears instead of correct their errors (II Tim. 4:3-4). This attitude is similar to what Isaiah faced. The people told Isaiah, “Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isa. 30:10). They did not want Isaiah to “tell it like it is.” They demanded lies and “smooth things” said. Do we know anyone making such demands of our preachers and teachers today? God called those folks rebels for so doing in the Old Testament. I wonder what He thinks of folks making similar demands today (Rom. 15:4; I Cor. 10:11)? When this happens today, men are jeopardizing their souls, and will not hear, see, or understand (Isa. 6:9-10; Acts 28:25-27).

            A word of caution: Remember that “telling it like it is” is not a license to be rude or give someone a “tongue-lashing.” Sadly, some have allowed their anger to get the best of them and have violated Ephesians 4:26-27. Sometimes, people will justify rudeness and angry words by saying, “I am just telling it like it is.” No, they are not! Someone who speaks hurtful things allows his tongue to get out of control. Not controlling our tongue is a sin. Lack of control in our speech makes our religion vain (Jas. 1:26)! Let us not be guilty of speaking out in anger and calling this “telling it like it is.” That is not what it is!   

            We are not to be rude and unkind but to be motivated by a love for souls (Eph. 4:15; I Cor. 13:1-3). Plain speech is a needed and wonderful thing when we speak as the Lord wants us to speak (Col. 4:6; I Pet. 4:11).

 -- Jarrod Jacobs preaches with the Caneyville church of Christ in Caneyville, KY. He can be reached at (270) 589-4167 or http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com.