Truth-Teller

Nathan then said to David, “You are the man!” 2 Samuel 12:7

Writing this post is not coming easy. There are times when the words are on the tip of my tongue and fly from my fingertips. But God is getting this one into my head and heart. Yes, sometimes what I write is for me and me alone.

Do you have a truth-teller in your life? Have you ever been a truth-teller to someone else? It is not easy being on either side of this truth-telling coin. If you are the truth-teller, you risk sounding arrogant, judgmental, and may lose a friend. If you are the receiver of the truth-telling, it stings like a hard slap to the face.

Let’s take a look at being a truth-teller. Nathan is the classic example of someone with the courage and character to tell King David what he did with Bathsheba was flat out wrong. Nathan, a prophet, had a history of honesty with King David (see 2 Samuel 7 and 12).

In studying these honest, courageous messages to David, I learned four practical lessons.

1. He was clearly directed by God to deliver the truth (see 2 Samuel 7:4 & 12:1). The lesson – if we are going to speak the truth to someone, it must be Spirit led. If our motivation is anything else (revenge, arrogance, getting something off our chest), the truth will not be well-received and we will be perceived as judgmental. I love how Paul said it in Ephesians 4:15, “Speak the truth in love..”

2. Nathan stated facts. The lesson – We must never confront someone with the “truth” that came by way of gossip.

3. Nathan revealed how David’s sin had far-reaching consequences. Even though David repented (see Psalm 51), it didn’t negate the consequence of his sin. The lesson – Help someone overcome with sin understand it always has a ripple effect.

4. After telling the truth to David, Nathan went home (2 Sam. 12:15).  He didn’t go around saying, “Hey, I told King David straight up!” He said what God told him to say and then let God deal with the rest. The lesson – Do not brag about being a truth-teller and only say what the Holy Spirit gives you permission to say.

As part of the ripple effect, David and Bathsheba’s child died. But to me, a much greater ripple effect is found in 2 Samuel 12:14, “However, Because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blasmpheme…”

It’s true everytime – hypocrisy gives people opporunity to blaspheme God’s name. <Tweet this

I desperately need gentle truth-tellers in my life. Sometimes I am so blinded by my own sin, pride, or selfishness I can’t see the problem for myself. I also need more courage to speak the truth in love when I see a train-wreck about to happen. Some of my most sorrowful regrets are not waving warning flags when the Holy Spirit was nudging me to do so.

The fine line to truth-telling is balancing our courage with our consideration. Courage without consideration is hurtful. Consideration without courage will paralyze us from speaking life-changing truth to someone.

What about you? How do you discern when to be a truth-teller? How do you respond to truth-telling in your life? I’d love to hear from you!