Matthew 17:17  “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”

Whatever else you might say about Jesus, you could hardly call Him “politically correct!” There is one difference between the Japanese and most English translations that takes a little of the sting out of this particular verse. Where the English says “generation,” the Japanese says “era,” specifying a time period rather than people. Whether that is accurate to the feeling of the Greek is not something I can judge, but it certainly illustrates the Japanese desire to use polite terminology, regardless of the actual message. In the past, America has been famous for straight speaking, but political correctness has infiltrated to a distressing degree, to the point that in some circles simple truth is deemed offensive. Jesus would never agree with that! We aren’t to be needlessly offensive, but we are never to abandon truth in the effort to be polite. Sometimes that can make evangelism awkward, because a call to repentance is certainly the opposite of political correctness! We need the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit, but we also need to remember Jesus’ example, and be as blunt as called for, without being needlessly hurtful.

I have recently had a major run-in with this issue. As it turned out, I was in the wrong because I didn’t have the facts straight, but what was taken issue with was the way I spoke. I had no malice whatsoever, but my way of speaking was taken as injurious. Discussing the incident with spiritually mature bystanders, the observation was made that my speech is often more direct than a Japanese would use. Having lived the vast majority of my life in Japan, that came as a bit of a shock. However, it was given as a counter to one thing that had been said to me, that “You need to be more like Jesus.” Two other people I consulted with later both pointed out what today’s passage illustrates, that Jesus wasn’t politically correct. I am to seek to heal wounds I have caused, now and in the future, but I am not to retreat into political correctness. At the same time, I must always be careful to speak the truth in love, and remember that I don’t always have to say everything I know or feel, however true it might be. The devil tries to use these things to divide us, and he is too often successful. I am to let the love and grace of God flow through me, in whatever form He wants it to take, so that the Body of Christ may be built up as He desires and intends, for His glory.

Father, thank You for further expanding the lesson You’ve been teaching me. Help me accept it all with gratitude and joy, however painful parts of it might be, so that Your purposes may be accomplished in and through me for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!