Speak the Truth Graciously - WHEN TO SPEAK THE TRUTH - Continue

 Jesus' example shows that knowing the truth does not mean that we need to teach everything we know all at once. How might we follow Jesus' example? We must be considerate of people's circumstances. Think again of the man who enjoys celebrating Christmas and Easter with his family. We know that these celebrations are of pagan origin and are approved by God. But imagine that you started studying the Bible a week or two before Christmas. Would you be speaking graciously if we showed him what the Bible about pagan celebrations and expected him to stop celebrating Christmas immediately? True, some students may quickly apply all that they learned from the Bible. Others, however, take more time to adjust their think and actions. We can help our Bible students to make progress if we tell them what the needed to know when they needed to hear it, that is, when they are able to bear it. Read PROVERBS 25:11.

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Speak the Truth Graciously - WHEN TO SPEAK THE TRUTH

 Jesus always spoke graciously to his followers, and he kindly taught them many things. (Mark 6:34) But there was still much for them to learn. Jesus did try to teach them everything he knew. He was considerate of their limitations. He understood that it was not the right time for them to learn some truths. In fact, he said that they would be not be able to bear those truths. (John 16:12) What does this teach us? 

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Speak the truth Graciously - HOW TO SPEAK THE TRUTH - Conclusion

 Paul also said that his readers should season with salt what they say. He did not mean that we should try tomorrow disguise the truth or to hide it. Rather, he was urging us speech that is "seasoned" so that we will present the truth in a way that appeals to the "taste" of the listener. (Job 12:11) Doing that could be a challenge. Regarding literal food, our tendency may be to think that others want their food seasoned to our taste. Similarly, we may think that our manner of speaking is appealing to everyone. But that is not the case. For instance, people from some cultural backgrounds may tend to have a direct way of expressing their opinion, even when speaking to those who are older than they are. Those from other cultures might find that type of communication unacceptable, even offensive. Paul said that we must know how we "should answer each person." This implies we should season what we say, not according to our taste or cultural background, but according to our listener's taste.

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Speak the Truth Graciously -HOW TO SPEAK THE TRUTH - Continue

 Imagine this scene. In our ministry, we meet a sincere man who regularly prays to images, and he enjoys celebrating Christmas and Easter with His family. Using the Bible,we could show the man how foolish it is to pray to lifeless statues and prove to him that Christmas and Easter are pagan celebrations. ( Isaiah 44;14-29; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17) If we did so during our very first conversation with him, ewe would be telling the truth, but we would not be using God's word skillfully.

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Speak the Truth Graciously - HOW TO SPEAK THE TRUTH -0

 We need to apply Paul's counsel to be gracious when we teach the truth to others. The Bible itself likens the truth it contains to a sharp sword that can divide our soul and spirit. In other words, it can reveal our true inner feelings and motives. (Hebrews 4:12) But if we do not use the Bible skillfully, we could cause needless offense and unnecessary conflict. might that happen? 

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Speak the Truth Graciously - HOW TO SPEAK THE TRUTH

 Read Colossians 4:6. The apostle Paul reminded Christians living in Colossae that their speech should "always be gracious." What does that mean? The original-language expression conveys the idea that our speech should not only be beneficial to the listener but also be kind and appealing.

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Speak theTruth Graciously - WHERE CAN WE FIND THE TRUTH? - Continue

 Consider another situation in we need to avoid seeking glory for ourselves. Suppose that a responsible brother entrusted us with some confidential information and we then pass on that information to others. Of our listeners later find out what we told them was true, they might be impressed with what we know and assume that we are entrusted with a lot of confidential information. This could raise their estimation of how important we are, but it will elevate God's view of us. (Proverbs 11:13) Why? Because not only did we share confidential matters but we also told the truth with an improper motive. 

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Speak the Truth Graciously - WHY WE SPEAK THE TRUTH - Continue

What lesson can we learn from this account? Our motives about telling the truth matter to Jehovah.How important it that our motive for telling the truth is pure and that we direct any glory we receive, not to ourselves but Jehovah! - Matthew 5:16; compare Acts 14:12-15.

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Speak the Truth Graciously - WHY WE SPEAK THE TRUTH

 As mentioned earlier, we must speak truthfully if we want to be part of Jehovah's family. However to please him we must do more than just speak honestly. The reason why we speak the truth matters to Jehovah. Consider what happened during Jesus' ministry on earth. ( Read Mark 3:11,12) While Jesus was preaching near the Sea of Galilee, large crowds gathered around him. Among some of them were demon-possessed people who fell down in front of Jesus and then cried out to him: "You are the Son of God." Why did the demons tell the truth about Jesus? Their goal main have been to gain the confidence of those listening to them and to draw them away from serving Jehovah. The demons told the truth, but their motives were selfish. They did not fool Jesus or please him.In fact, a Jesus ordered the demons not to preach about him.

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Speak the Truth Graciously -WHERE CAN WE FIND THE TRUTH - Continue

 One of the ways we can find Jehovah is by studying the Bible. The men-apostles who wrote that book were inspired by God's holy spirit. (2 Peter 1:20, 21) So everything contained in the Bible is the truth and is worthy of our trust. For example,we can trust what it says about the origin of our universe and of life on earth. (Genesis 1:1, 26) We can believe what it says about why we all sin and why there is so much suffering and death. (Romans 5:12; 6:23) We can trust it completely when it says that Jehovah,  by means of his Son, will undo all the damages done by Satan, " the father of the lie." (John 8:44; Romans 16;20) And we can rely on the Bible's promise that Jesus will destroy the wicked, raise the dead, restore the earth, and help us to become perfect. (John 11:25, 26; 1 John 3:8) What a privilege Jehovah has given us! He has taught us the truth, and he gives us the opportunity to teach it to others. - MATTHEW  28:19, 20.

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