“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” — John 8:32
It’s so important that we love the truth rather than love being loved. These two concepts will certainly bring conflict of soul. If we love being loved, we may compromise or withhold the truth. Our role with the world is not to be loved—or even liked. Our job is to be respected.
Parents can falter under this same conflict. Many parents want to be liked by their children—even loved by their children. In this mode, the parent finds themselves conflicted over discipline, truth, and correction. When the parent moves into these areas, acting as a parent, the child may reject them and conflict arises. If the parent is overcome with feelings of rejection, they may retreat from truth, correction, and discipline at the very point they are needed most.
Not only are we called to love truth, but we are also called to love the Father of truth above all things. Therefore, pleasing Him—even if that means using convicting and corrective words—is more important than pleasing any audience.
Every person is tempted to give in to the seduction of pleasing their audience. This was not the life of Jesus. Jesus lived for an audience of One. We are called to do the same.
We seem to hold the false idea that our faith should never bring conflict with anyone. Again, this is not truth. Jesus said He came to bring a sword—that His message would separate even the closest of relationships.
Matthew 10:34–38
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves their father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it.”
Again, our mission is not to be loved; our mission is to bring truth and salvation. Jesus said that if they hated Him, they will hate you—the disciple. This is not only relevant to a non-believing crowd, but to a believing one as well. The most important message is always the one He wants you to bring.
Let’s examine our own lives during the Daniel Fast.
Have you become afraid to speak the truth?
Have you been moved by your listeners instead of the Holy Spirit?
Have you withheld something the Father wanted you to say because of who was listening?
Are you free from rejection and the fear of being rejected—judged or spoken of negatively?
Break free. Overcome. Wrestle down the darkness and get your victory.