I think Tim Keller said that you can speak the truth, but present it in such a harsh way that it turns people off. That’s not loving. That’s about ego and wanting to be proven right more than helping others to find the right path. I saw something today that said that no one was ever argued into a change of heart. Let that sink in for a bit.

I’ve been guilty of wanting to win an argument or two back in the day, especially when it comes to theology. But at the end of the day, it really didn’t matter. It’s no good to win an argument over someone about faith if you lose the battle for their soul. Not that we win anyone to Jesus or save anyone, but we can sure be a roadblock or a hindrance to someone coming to faith.

That’s why it’s vital to speak the truth in love. In love. We do need to speak the truth. Otherwise, we’re just enabling bad behavior and allowing lost people to remain lost. But if we speak the truth in an unloving way, it’s just as dangerous because they associate the gospel with judgment rather than love.

Be merciful. St. Isaac the Syrian once said, “Let mercy outweigh all else in you. A hard an unmerciful heart will never be pure.”

Yes, speak the truth. Live your convictions. But always, always remember to be merciful. Be loving. Remember how patient God was toward you while you were still an enemy and far from the truth. Remember how many times people loved you enough to share with you that you were a sinner but that God still loved you.

Above all, be merciful just as your Father in heaven is merciful.