““I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now. But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future].”
John 16:12-13 AMP
People can be ready and willing to weigh in on all sorts of things. However, a hastily spoken word, can be very destructive.
We know that as followers of Christ, our speech should always be what is pleasing to the Lord. As such, we know that words must not be used as weapons. We must not lie. We must not mislead.
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
Ephesians 4:29 NLT
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Colossians 4:6 ESV
Words of truth should be the only words we speak. And words of truth may fall into the category of instruction and/or discipline. However, instruction and/or discipline must be spoken at the right time, and must be spoken out of the motivation of God’s love (agape).
“But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ.”
Ephesians 4:15 AMP
Consider this scenario: Someone (with whom you have a relationship) is distraught because their spouse has left them. In this hypothetical scenario, you have observed some of the very dysfunctional ways this person has dealt with that spouse. So, the spouse finally getting enough of the treatment and leaving, comes as no surprise to you. But you are now being faced with someone completely torn apart, and they are sharing the contents of their broken heart with you.
Unless the Lord directly leads otherwise, this would not be the time to share with this person that you’re not surprised their spouse did what they did. In this moment, what that person needs is hope and comfort and is probably incapable of receiving a word of correction.
Now, no matter what the circumstance, we don’t speak words that are not genuine or are insincere. For example, you shouldn’t say something like “I can’t believe they did this.”
However, there is plenty of truth in the word of God that would be appropriate at such a time to help the person—in this moment of despair—to regain their footing and access the comfort of the Lord. Words of instruction can be left until another time as the Holy Spirit directs. Only the Holy Spirit knows when the wounded heart is ready to hear it.
“Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”
Proverbs 16:24 NLT
In our opening scripture we see Jesus explaining to the disciples that there was more for them to know, but He knew they couldn’t receive it at that point in time.
Jesus then went on to explain to them that the Holy Spirit would lead them into the additional truth they needed to know.
It’s also important to note that Paul, speaking to people who did have the Holy Spirit, still could not speak to them concerning certain things because of their spiritual immaturity.
“Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?”
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NLT
Paul, knowing that the people could not hear more advanced spiritual instruction, continued to feed them with the milk of foundational truths.
The bottom line is that whether a person SHOULD be able to hear something or not, if they’re not prepared to hear what you have to say, even if it’s the truth, it can do more harm than good.
Friend, let’s listen to the Holy Spirit, letting Him control what we say, AND when we say it.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
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