Some truths get whispered because the speaker isn’t sure they’re true. Other truths get whispered because the speaker is sure but afraid of the cost of saying them. Apostle Paul allowed neither excuse for Titus.

He said in Titus 2:15, “Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”

Here are three commands and no hedging: declare, exhort, rebuke. Not suggest or float out as one opinion among many. No, Paul assumes the truth deserves to be spoken plainly, urged personally, and defended firmly when challenged.

To be honest, in preaching, I’ve been known to apologize in the past for some hard truth I’m about to deliver. I thought it would get me off the hook. Kind of like, “Don’t get mad at me. If you’re gonna get mad, get mad at God.” But one of the bolder, more direct guys in my congregation back in Kentucky confronted me about that tactic and straight up said, “Ben, stop apologizing for the Word of God. Just say it, and let the chips fall where they may.” And I took his words to heart and grew from them.

You see, timidity invites dismissal. A teacher who hedges every conviction trains listeners to treat truth as negotiable. But truth isn’t negotiable. Therefore, we must share truth with courage and conviction. If what we are saying is actually true, it’s worth saying clearly and without flinching.

Beloved, there are certainly things worth apologizing for, but truth ain’t one of them!

Change begins in you!