Consider the following quote from one preacher:
I would rather have thousands say to me at the judgment, “We heard you preach, and you hurt our feelings,” than have just one lost soul to say, “I heard you preach, but you did not tell me the truth.”
John T. Lewis
I understand the importance of tact in preaching the gospel of our Lord. It does no good to couch truth in terms that are unpalatable to the ears of the lost. If we can speak the truth in a way that will lead the hearer to receive it rather than reject it, we should. However, in all things, the truth must be taught!
It also is important to consider that no matter how the truth is preached, the rebellious will not accept it. When Stephen was stoned to death by an angry mob (cf. Acts 7), the fault was with the hearts of the hearers, not Stephen. For some men, no matter how careful our words, they will be offended. Jesus taught his disciples that as servants, they were not above Him as their Master. Jesus was hated, and sent to the cross. He told them when they went forth to teach His gospel “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22).
