The word is truth, it is our instruction. I also make no apologies about this next statement....."As a Christian it is our duty as followers of the Messiah Jesus Christ to share the truth. If we become politically correct or any other 'let's be careful not to offend' positions. Well quite frankly we become the biggest liars of all for we know better and don't tell what is true."
I will give a small example...... I have a friend who was unfaithful to his wife. He told me "Hey don't preach or judge.". My response was "I am not defending or condemning you as a person man, I am going to reaffirm to you that your actions are against Jesus. Thing is this we don't sin against ourselves or others. We sin against the Master."
So remember guys our job is not to judge or be harsh, shy, or stand off to the side. If the opportunity to share the truth is present then it is our duty to the Master to share this truth in a loving manner. Love the person not the sin.
But if we beat around the bush in these times of truth revealing then we don't follow expectations set by Jesus for us to follow.
Consider the following 2 scenarios: 1. I have sinned, I cheated on my spouse....
Christian responding, "You are a terrible person, you are a sinner alright. Boy, you have your pic next to the definition in the dictionary.
2. I have sineed, I cheated on my spouse.......
Christian responding, "hey, yeah that's bad. Try and do better next time okay?"
These are certainly not good responses are they? No, I don't think so.
I gather that the more appropriate response would be, "Yes you sinned, that is not good. But the good news is that Christ indeed loves you unconditionally, you repent before him humbly and ask him to reveal to you on the appropriate steps to reconcile this and things will improve."
I say this because I counsel a lot of jail house inmates, police, most of my work gets done in military veteran settings for PTSD and other trauma. I do my best, but miserably fail to follow the Christ in his example for he is love made flesh. But I try.