Straight Talk
I like tactful people. They have a good “edit” machine inside their head. I also like for people to be direct. There are times when the truth stings a bit. I do like to hear the truth spoken to me in love. I’m not crazy about someone “beating around the bush” to tell me something important and maybe even urgent. I still remember when Dr. Song, the Oncology Doctor, talking to us about my sons health. He was always very direct with the details and the options.
In the book of James, the author is very direct and he’s actually very clear in speaking the truth. Check this out…
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:7-19 NIV)Surrender to God.
Flee from the devil.
Draw near to God.
Purify your heart.
Turn your gloom to joy.
Humble yourself before the Lord.
It’s not “rocket science”! I can handle the straight talk. James is giving great spiritual council. He doesn’t mince words or “sugar coat” the word. I want to follow God – period. I want my actions to come out of pure motives from a pure heart. I want the joy of the Lord to overflow from the joy of the Lord in my heart! I sure want to be humble before the Lord. I also want to serve others with humility and honor.
This straight talk really spoke truth into my heart.
Pressing On! Dwayne