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“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” Ephesians 4:25 (ESV)

There are just some conversations we avoid. Like tough face to face interactions over areas of our lives we’d rather excuse away. Conflicts we don’t want to revisit. Sensitive issues which carry a heavy weight in our heart. The avoidables we dismiss at all cost. Subjects which stir within us a defensive spirit before a single word is spoken. Or ones we don’t want to start because we might offend.

Wouldn’t it be great if we authentically approached the unwanted discussion with a renewed sense of confidence, openness, clarity and kindness? Too often we stuff until the stuffing can’t go any deeper. The end result is an erupting volcano of delayed conversations spewing over anything in its path. What we avoided now staring us in the face. Or what about those talks we regret never having with ones we love headed down a destructive path? So many “if onlys” flooded our mind when the consequences swirled around them.

Scripture gives us an inside view of challenging conversations Jesus wasn’t afraid to begin. He confronted issues head on – no dancing around the subject. Creative word pictures (parables) flowed effortlessly from His lips. Whether He was entertaining the criticism of the Pharisees and Sadducees or casting moneychangers out of the temple, Jesus never backed down or compromised. He spoke pivot questions to the woman at the well. No condemnation or shame – just truth which needed to be spoken. He met questions with questions, “Who do you say that I am?” He searched out motives. Every conversation was an opportunity to draw others to the Father and away from the lies of the enemy.

Perhaps there’s some conversations we need to prayerfully consider having. Maybe we need to quiet our voice and listen for God to speak to us about the things we avoid or the fear that silences our voice when He’d rather we speak truth and grace.

Looking for a place to dive in deep this week – carve out some time to read the gospels and watch, learn and imitate Jesus’ conversations. Learn from the One who showed no favoritism, who loved big and who always carried out the Father’s will in the Father’s timing. Just might open up the door to the greatest conversation we’ve ever had.

“Father, You have blessed us with the privilege of voice – audible words spoken with the potential to reflect Your character. Erase our excuses and open our eyes to the best way to handle challenging conversations.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life