“Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand in the court of the LORD’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’s house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word.’” Jeremiah 26:2

The Whole Counsel of God

I confess to you, I sometimes don’t listen well. If I come into a room in the middle of other people’s conversations, I might hear a bit of it and assume what they are talking about, interjecting my own comments. Often I get funny looks that clearly let me know what I just said makes no sense in the ongoing conversation. I tell myself often not to ever do that again.

Or I will think I understand what a person is saying to me, but I miss their point entirely. This is the result of jumping ahead in my mind to what I might say to them, instead of first listening.

It is troublesome to those on the receiving end of my snap judgments, too. What must they be feeling when they realize they haven’t really been heard at all? I’m sure they think I don’t consider their words to be important.

When God impresses upon us to share His Word with someone, how do we deliver that word? Are we nervous, as if maybe He didn’t actually impress this upon us? Do we downplay His Word by making it seem less important than it should be? Do we give the full counsel of His Word, regardless of the effect we feel it could have on the person? Are we worried about what they might think about us or about the Lord? (Do we feel it is our job to protect God from people’s reactions to His Word?)

I want to share the full counsel of God. Paul’s words in Acts 20:27 is our blueprint for sharing God’s Word with people: “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” If I have a strong impression that something MUST be said—I’m not talking about giving a personal opinion of my own which should, of course, only be given when asked for—I rely on the Spirit to help me not diminish His Word in any way.

If we diminish God’s Word, we soften it. Take away its sword-like edge. Make it palatable—which means to squish it up like baby food and spoon-feed it, making it easier to digest. What—can’t God’s Word go forth exactly as He breathed it, to accomplish what He desires? He wrote it that way for a reason.

“Well, I don’t want to offend…” This is understandable. Unfortunately, all too often what we mean is, “I don’t want to feel awkward and get my own feelings hurt.” Truth is, God’s Word will often offend. A mature person will hear God’s correction and say, “You’re right. I need to repent.” One who is being fed baby food will cry and say, “You don’t care about me.”

God isn’t trying to hurt people with His sword. His Word, as is, reveals the thoughts and intents of the heart. Let His Word go forth to do the work He sent it for—without diminishing it.

Lord, we don’t want to cave to the pressure put on us by others. If You stir us up to share Your Word, give us boldness in the name of Jesus. Amen.