Preaching with Honesty

“Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” – Acts 20:26-27

Preachers must be honest with the people to whom they preach. One might think that much is obvious, but most preachers are under constant pressure to tell people what they want to hear, rather than what they need to hear. The apostle Paul felt this pressure acutely, and indicated as much, when he wrote to his brethren in the churches of Galatia: “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16).

Many preachers dare not to say anything that might be perceived as controversial, lest they cause someone in the congregation to be offended. The result of this policy is sermons that are only loosely based on the Scriptures, and that are designed to make the hearers feel better about themselves as they are, rather than challenging them to improve. As a result, ecclesiastical cowardice rules the day – and many people will be lost because of it.

Preachers do not need to preach only on controversial subjects, but they need to do as Paul did, when he was in Ephesus: preach all the counsel of God (Acts 20:26-27). The fact of the matter is that every soul needs to hear everything that God has to say. Preachers who will not be honest with their hearers about God’s will for them are only guaranteeing that the people to whom they preach will be lost eternally.

Preachers who are honest with themselves know that when they preach the Word of God to any group of people, there will be those who will not accept it. But they must not allow this fact to cause them to “water down” the message. It is their task to boldly stand and speak the truth, with love in their hearts (Ephesians 4:15).