4 Blunt Comments in the New Testament

Over the last decade Christianity has battled against the culture that says that Christians must be “nice.” A lot of men and women were taught that we can never be blunt or harsh. While I believe in kindness, grace and mercy there are times when being direct is exactly what God wants, even if it sounds mean.

There are some good examples of this in the New Testament. There are times that God wants us to be direct, even if it might be offensive to the other person. I like to imagine being with Jesus or the disciples or John the Baptist and hearing them make these comments. I think I would be surprised to hear these words come out of their mouth.

1. Luke 3:7: “You brood of vipers, who warned you of the wrath to come?”
These are the first words that John the Baptist speaks to the crowd that gathers to see him in Jordan. By calling them a brood of vipers he was saying that that are children of the devil.

2. John 8:44: “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire.”
Jesus is talking to the Jews who tell Him that they are heirs of Abraham. Jesus tells them that they are children of the devil, right to their face.
3. Acts 8:21: “You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.”
Simon the Sorcerer thought he could buy the gifts of the Spirit. Peter had no problem telling him exactly what he saw in his heart.
4. 3rd John vs 9: “but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first.”
Diotrephes has been talking “wicked nonsense” against the disciples and refused to welcome the brothers. John had no problem exposing his selfishness.
There is a time to be full of mercy and there is a time to be bold and blunt. We need to pray that we can discern the difference.
If you have other examples please leave comments below…