Pastoral VS Truth

Pastoral VS Truth

Sometimes, in desiring to be pastoral, we compromise truth. But we were never taught to be loving at the expense of truth. Because truth and love are on the same side of the coin, not a different side.

Since Jesus is love (1 John 4:8; Heb 1:3) and He is also Truth (John 14:6), He is the example that we can learn from. Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17).

Some say, "Oh... it's because we care, so we try to be abit balance in our sharing, so that we don't hurt people." In doing that, they are willing to compromise truth in order to strike a balance. But since when did Jesus show that compromise to us?

Eph 4:15 says, 'But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ...'

The whole context is on unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son, where doctrines are involved. (Eph 4:11-14)

Let's look at what Jesus said and did in the book of John.

Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a h̶a̶r̶d̶ ̶s̶a̶y̶i̶n̶g̶;̶ ̶w̶h̶o̶ ̶c̶a̶n̶ ̶u̶n̶d̶e̶r̶s̶t̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶i̶t̶?̶  pastoral saying; we love it.” - John 6:60 (TPV, Today's Pastoral Version)

When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this o̶f̶f̶e̶n̶d̶  sit well with you? - John 6:61 (TPV, Today's Pastoral Version)

From that time many of His disciples w̶e̶n̶t̶ ̶b̶a̶c̶k̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶w̶a̶l̶k̶e̶d̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶H̶i̶m̶ ̶n̶o̶ ̶m̶o̶r̶e̶  flocked to Him because He told them what they wanted to hear. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “D̶o̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶ ̶a̶l̶s̶o̶ ̶w̶a̶n̶t̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶g̶o̶ ̶a̶w̶a̶y̶ Do you feel good with My words now?” - John 6:66-67 (TPV, Today's Pastoral Version)

Joke aside. Jesus, the very Person of Love & Truth, never compromised in His message. Absolute Love requires Absolute Truth. Human love may come at the expense of truth. But God's Love comes with His Absolute Truth. To be loving without truth is in fact, unloving ---- it's a form of sensuality.

Instead of compromising truth in order to be 'pastoral' or to prevent offending/hurting people, there is another option.

Jesus said in John 16:12-13, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth;"

We should not be fearful of offending believers with truths if our heart intention is love. For love and truth are supposed to be on the same side. 

Disclaimer: To offend them just because we want to be right/heard is a wrong intention though.

However, if we know (by the Spirit) that the person is not able to bear the truths now, it is better not to say it, than to compromise the truths. We can only pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal to them, open their hearts and guide them into all truth.