Speaking The Truth of God Can Be Unpopular

Throughout history many of the people who have spoken the truth of God forcefully, faithfully and accurately have been very unpopular, for example, Isaiah, John the Baptist and, of course, even Jesus, Himself. All three were executed. That’s what happens when you get REALLY unpopular. There have been many others, of course, these are just a few.

Even in more modern times there have been people who have spoken for God and found it was an unpopular thing to do. The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., comes to mind.

The truth of God is often unpopular because it reminds people there is such a thing as “right” and “wrong” and the realization that we are doing something wrong is uncomfortable. Some people are unwilling to confront the fact they are doing something wrong so they become angry with the truth-teller as a way of denying the truth and coping with their discomfort.

In fact, the realization that we are doing something wrong can even make people feel threatened and fearful. When people feel threatened and fearful they can become quite dangerous to the truth-teller.

Because it can be very unpopular to speak the truth of God those of us who walk with God and take Him seriously will typically be tempted—somewhere along the way—not to speak the truth of God. I know this has been true for me on more than a few occasions.

I am writing this post to remind myself and challenge myself. Perhaps it will be a helpful and necessary reminder and challenge for you, too.

It is always best to be faithful to God. It is always right to be faithful to God. Even when it’s unpopular it is my desire—with His help—to faithfully speak the truth of God.

Unpopular Opinions

In our culture certain ideas or viewpoints are popular and other ideas or viewpoints are unpopular. There is nothing new about this reality it is part of what occurs in any society. What concerns me, however, is that we currently seem to be developing a climate in our culture in which the unpopular ideas are not allowed to be expressed. If you hold certain beliefs it is understood that you need to be quiet. There are indications we are moving in a direction in which people should not be allowed to even think certain unpopular ideas.

When centers of influence within the culture want to control what we think and say then we are moving toward totalitarianism. This is dangerous, unhealthy and oppressive. It’s also a serious pain in the neck!

Is this really what we want?

I encounter many viewpoints with which I disagree. In fact, I can even find myself getting agitated by some of the viewpoints I encounter on Facebook or other online forums. Occasionally I read posts and find myself thinking: “Are you kidding? Is this actually your point of view on this topic? This is ridiculous!!!”

After all, when a person’s opinion is so drastically different from my own it seems incredibly obvious, to me, that my opinion is the correct one. You all agree with this airtight logic, right?

However, I believe it is important to defend the right of people to think and express their ideas, including unpopular ideas. It would be nice if people would express their ideas respectfully and thoughtfully. The Bible calls us to speak lovingly. But the freedom to think and communicate ideas—even ones with which I disagree—is important. It is an extraordinary value which is worth protecting.

I may not agree with your viewpoint but I support your right to think it and express it.

Understanding What Courage Is

Sometimes people take a bold, emphatic, public stance regarding a matter and act as if they are being courageous. And yet the position for which they are taking their stance is actually a fairly popular position. If this is the case, their bold, emphatic, public stance is not a genuine act of courage.

Yes, the person is standing up for his/her beliefs and that may be commendable. I’m simply pointing out that if the belief is fairly popular then the stance does not represent a great act of courage. Doing popular things and supporting popular issues is not an example of courage.

When a person takes a bold, emphatic, public stance on a position which is unpopular, however, that is different. Now, we are talking courage. Please understand, I’m not even suggesting that this unpopular stance means the person is correct. It depends on what the person is standing for. I’m simply pointing out a distinction regarding our understanding of courage that doesn’t always seem to be recognized, these days.

If we’re going to talk about courage, let’s at least understand what it is. Making a big show by standing for something popular does not require courage. Standing for something which is unpopular is what requires courage.

Following Jesus Whether He Is Popular Or Not

As I was watching “The Bible” on the History Channel last night, I was reminded, once again, that there were times when Jesus was popular and there were times when Jesus was unpopular.  We are called to follow Him and remain faithful to Him whether He is popular, or not.

Standing For Jesus Anyhow

There will always be places where standing up for the truth of Jesus will be unpopular.  There will always be groups of people who will be bothered and offended by the truth of Jesus.  Those who truly follow Jesus will gently and lovingly, yet boldly and courageously stand for Jesus anyhow.