What does being frank with someone mean to you? Does it mean that you speak your mind? Does it mean you don’t care what others think when you speak your mind? Are you willing to speak frankly when it matters most? Will you speak frankly about Jesus?
There are some people who will speak whatever is on their mind without regard to who they speak to and the consequences of speaking. They will claim they can’t help it or that they are just being themselves. Then they wonder why people don’t want to be around them.
Am I saying we shouldn’t be frank? No. However, using a little tact and wisdom can go a long way. We can speak truth without being offensive. Being frank does not mean we need to be offensive. We can speak frankly and with wisdom by first listening, truly listening, and understanding what truth the person needs to hear.
It is important that we speak frankly about Jesus. He is not some watered down, impotent idol who is being worshiped as a god. He is the all-powerful King of kings. He is the ever-present Lord of lords. He is the Savior of the world. He is the ultimate judge. He is the living example of what love is meant to be. To speak about Him frankly is needed.
Yet, the person we are speaking with may not need to hear He is King of kings. They may need to hear He is our Comforter. They may need to hear He is our Protector. They may need to hear He is our Provider. But we can only know what aspect of Jesus they need to hear by listening closely to what they are saying and hearing what is left unsaid. This is where wisdom and discernment come in. Ask God for them so as to speak frankly about Jesus.
I pray we all seek to speak frankly about Jesus. I pray we listen with attentiveness. I pray each one of us will tell others what they need to know in the moment about Jesus. Speak frankly about Jesus. Use wisdom and discernment. Listen closely to others. Speech frankly with tact.
2 Corinthians 3:12 Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with complete frankness,
Marty Pressey 