The Belt of Truth

If you all remember from my first post,

Sodium is an extremely active element found naturally only in combined form; it always links itself to another element. Chlorine, on the other hand, is the poisonous gas that gives bleach it offensive odor. When sodium and chlorine are combined, the result is sodium chloride—common table salt—the substance we use to preserve meat and bring out its flavor. Love and truth can be like sodium and chlorine. Love without truth is flighty, sometimes blind, willing to combine with various doctrines. On the other hand, truth by itself can be offensive, sometimes even poisonous. Spoken without love, it can turn people away from the gospel. When truth and love are combined in an individual or a church, however, then we have what Jesus called “the salt of the earth,” and we’re able to preserve and bring out the beauty of our faith.

David H. Johnson

This was where I got my inspiration for my blog.

The sermon this week was from Pastor Khong regarding the belt of truth. During the sermon, he was talking about his wife, Pastor Nina who would just speak out the truth in front of Pastor Khong if he was not consistent with his walk with God, shooting him right between the eyes.

Many times, as a Christian, we would see many things in the world that do not conform with our doctrines in the Bible such as scolding vulgarities, sexual immoralities, stealing, cheating ,etc. These things may be present in our family members or even people in the church. This is where we are told to be the salt of the world, to be in the world but not of the world. To not only put on the belt of truth but to speak of the truth to people that you love the most.

As a new christian, I struggled with this aspect of my christian walk. When I saw my dad becoming conceited with his achievements at work, I was quick to remind him that the glory was to be to God and to be humble. However, that led to a few days without allowances and a scolding.

When my sister was coming home late, I chided her for that without first listening her out although sometimes she would have a good reason for doing so. This eventually led to a small scale cold war between us.

What went wrong, didn't I tell the truth?

Eph1:15-16 But practicing the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head. From him the whole body grows, fitted and held together through every supporting ligament. As each one does its part, the body grows in love.

I prayed and went to the bible and the Netbible, searching for answers. I stumbled upon the passage in the beginning of the blog and the verse above. I finally realised that I was saying the truth but I did not think about the feelings of the people who I was telling these to. It was just chlorine. Also, I lacked the wisdom from God. It was not the right timing of God to say those words. I should not be hurrying God's plan into my life but falling into his plan for my life.

The fact is the truth is painful. Sometimes, telling someone the truth cannot be avoided if you want the person to improve or break free from bondages in his or her life. By witholding the truth from a person, you may be actually hurting that person. However, by telling the person, the truth, he may even experience more pain and reject you in the process.

Slowly, I learnt the the truth will be eventually revealed to that person but I believe in the manner of telling the person the truth. Whether you do it in a harsh or soft manner would depend on the situation and the person that you are speaking to.

In my instance, I should have waited for the correct moment when they were in a better mood to talk to them and I should have used a softer manner to do so instead of immediate rebuttal without reason.

I am still learning how to cope with this aspect of my walk and I pray that I would always be able to be salty for the lord.

Sit Tight,
Walk Right,
Stand Up and Fight.

Then you can
Go Deep,
Look Far,
Ask Big.