Acts 13:19 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?”

Wow! This is a pretty thorough verbal take-down, but it’s quite reminiscent of some things John and Baptist, and even Jesus, said. This sort of thing could get you charged for slander today! The thing is, truth is truth, and failing to speak truth is not loving. In this case, if Paul had failed to call the man down, the proconsul would probably not have committed himself to Christ, and Elymas himself would not have been confronted with the need and opportunity to repent. “Political correctness” is a plague from the father of lies! We are not to hurt needlessly, with words or actions, but masking the truth in euphemisms helps no one. People get upset when we call abortion murder, but that’s exactly what it is. They also get upset when we call gender dysphoria mental illness, but again, that’s what it is. Papering it all over with lies is an abomination in the sight of God. In the Church we focus on speaking the truth in love, but political correctness is not speaking the truth. Political correctness is part of the devil’s plan that includes the nonsense of “my truth” and “your truth.” The devil hates truth, and so distorts it every way he can. As Paul says here, he “makes crooked the straight paths of the Lord.” (ESV) We are not to fall for his deceptions but stand firm in Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6)

Having been raised by a father who held absolute honesty as one of his foundational principles, I have always tended to be on the blunt side. Actually, I have hurt people needlessly by failing to be gentle with my words when there was no evil intent on their part. A couple such incidents still haunt me. I am not to let my distaste for political correctness cause me to squash people, but neither am I to fall into the trap of the “white lie.” Lies aren’t white! I am to speak God’s truth as Jesus did, with sacrificial love, regardless of the consequences. I am thankfully not in a situation where that will get me into legal trouble, as happens all too often in various places around the world, so I am to pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ who are in such situations. James was very clear on the importance of my words, and many other Biblical writers touched on it as well. I am indeed to speak the truth in love, even when the truth is painful to my hearers, so that they may be set free. (John 8:32)

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the gift for words You have given me. May it always be used as You intend, and in no other way, so that Your Word through me may accomplish everything for which You send it, (Isaiah 55:11) for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!