“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21).
“In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, we encounter a zeal that jealously guards these believers and attacks the impure doctrine of works and ritual. His emphasis is the grace of our Lord Jesus. He asks the Galatians a question that all believers must deal with: “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16). We must always allow the truth to be told us without taking offense. Proverbs 27:5-6 says, “Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Let us always allow our friends to ask us those piercing questions that remind us of God’s truth. Truth pierces the darkness that would paralyze our souls and render us helpless. It keeps us free from the entanglements of Satan.
Paul told the truth even though some seemed to be wounded by it. He knew, as we should, that God’s healing truth prevails over temporary discomfort. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Speaking the truth in love is life and peace. Everyone needs someone in his life who will speak the truth, regardless of consequences. Truth brings correction, and correction removes error, makes things right, and remedies any malfunction, fault, or mistake.
Therefore, I urge you to never consider as an enemy those who bring God’s precious truth.