Do Not Diminish a Word!

December 10, 2000

I have worked in many, many industrial settings. On scores of occasions I have seen people become upset over disturbing news from company officials. Maybe there was to be a reduction in force, or no bonuses, or smaller raises than anticipated, etc., etc. The subject matter may change but the reaction is typically the same. People frequently want to shoot the messenger!

God knew that much about human nature in the Old Testament. Perhaps that's why He commanded Jeremiah to "...'Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord's house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word.'" (Jeremiah 26:2). "Do not diminish a word!" the Lord cautioned. "Speak all the words!" He commanded. God knew about human nature. Jeremiah did exactly as the Lord commanded. He stood in the house of God and spoke all the words that he had been instructed. The news was not good. He spoke of great evil that awaited the city should they fail to repent and follow God's leadership through the inspired prophets. The people, the priests and the false prophets listened, but they did not like what they heard. In fact, they decided to shoot the messenger! They seized Jeremiah saying, "You will surely die!" (Jeremiah 26:8). As it turned out, Jeremiah did not die as a result of this incident. However, this is a classic example of people reacting to truth and becoming upset with the messenger. This has doubtless repeated itself millions of times in the course of human history. Elijah knew this drill well. John the baptizer died as a result of this phenomenon. The apostle Paul found this reaction a hazard to his well being on numerous occasions. Today's spiritual leaders still feel the sting of evil's venom when their friends turn against them because they speak the truth without fear or favor.

The prophet Ezekiel was also well aware of this principle of spiritual stewardship. Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul." (Ezekiel 3:17- 19). Centuries later, note a portion of Paul's comments as he said goodbye to the pastors of the Lord's church at Ephesus. "...I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house... And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more... Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.... For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God." (Acts 20:20-27). In at least three different ways, Paul said the same thing. He held back nothing that was helpful, he was innocent of the blood of all men and He had faithfully and completely spoken God's will. Paul could confidently declare that he was free from the blood of all men because he had faithfully executed his gospel stewardship. The Watchman's prayer must ever be: "Let me live and speak, O Lord, such that I am now and forever free from the blood of all men!"

The example of Jeremiah is worthy of emulation, not only by spiritual leaders, but by moms and dads, CEOs, politicians, bankers and candlestick makers. Would that everyone would resolve to speak truth without regard for the outcome!