One of the greatest blessings is the Lord placing people in church leadership who will love me, their Watchman/Pastor, enough to speak uncomfortable truth! I’ve realized, and maybe you have too, that no one has let me down, disappointed me, or wronged me more than I have. Facing this reality is tough, but it’s a crucial step if we want to live lives of integrity, especially when it comes to addressing the church and its leaders.
Let’s talk about speaking truth to wicked power—both in the lives of others and in our own lives. As believers, we are called to confront wrongdoing, to be the voice that calls out injustice, and to stand firm in righteousness. But here’s the catch: we can’t effectively speak truth into someone else’s life if we haven’t allowed the Holy Spirit to first deal with the giants in our own hearts. Didn't Paul say (Rom. 2), "Oh you, do you judge another and do the same thing? How will you escape the damnation of God?"
It’s easy to blame others for our problems and as someone once said, "it is always easier to look out of a window rather than in a mirror." After all, nobody likes to admit their own faults. But consistently shifting blame onto others is dangerous—it’s a hallmark of what psychologists call a sociopath, someone who refuses to take responsibility for their actions.
As Christians, we cannot live this way. We must confront our own shortcomings and sins before we can hope to address the failings of others. In my own life, I’ve found that the most significant breakthroughs come when I let God shine a light on the areas I’d rather keep hidden. Whether it’s pride, unforgiveness, or selfishness, these are the giants that need slaying.
How can I encourage others to scale the mountains in their lives if I haven’t climbed a few myself? Sharing those victories in Jesus—what we often call a testimony—is one of the most powerful ways to glorify God and inspire others and at the same time maintain integrity as a Christian.
It’s hypocritical to demand righteousness from others while harboring sin in our own lives. Imagine someone standing behind the pulpit, encouraging faithful giving, yet the exhorter refuses to honor God with their finances. Or consider someone preaching about the importance of forgiveness while holding grudges. This kind of double standard undermines the gospel message and erodes trust within the church.
Jesus addressed this very issue when He commanded His disciples to go into the world, preach the gospel, and teach others to obey His commands. Preaching the gospel is the ultimate act of speaking truth to power. It’s not just about calling others to repentance; it’s about living out that repentance ourselves.
Now, let’s bring this closer to home: speaking truth to church leaders. This is one of the hardest tasks we face as Believers. It requires humility, wisdom, and courage. Church Leaders are human too, and we are not immune to error. But when our actions or teachings stray from biblical truth, it’s the body's responsibility to address it
This can happen in several ways. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit will prompt us directly through that still, small voice. Other times, God may use another person to speak truth into our lives. The challenge comes when we’re on the receiving end of that correction. Nobody likes to be confronted, but if we’re serious about living righteously, we must be open to it.
Speaking truth to power, whether in the lives of others or within the church, is not for the faint of heart. It requires us to walk in the Spirit, to slay the giants in our own lives, and to approach others with love and humility.
This is what makes our testimony credible. It’s not about perfection but about progress—about being honest with ourselves and others as we strive to reflect Christ more each day.
The gospel is a message of truth, and we are its messengers. That truth isn’t always comfortable, but it’s always necessary. As we navigate the challenges of speaking truth to power, especially within the church, let’s remember to first examine who we are nd what we do. Let’s invite the Holy Spirit to reveal and uproot anything that doesn’t align with God’s will which is the hardest thing to accomplish after salvation (at least for me).
Only then can we stand boldly, speak confidently, and lead others toward the transformative power of the gospel. It’s a journey we’re all on together, and I, for one, am committed to scaling the mountains in my life so I can better help others climb theirs. How about you?
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