Are you willing to say hard things?

​9-14-23
Are you willing to say hard things?
"Son of man (Ezekiel), say to the Israelites, 'This is what you are saying: "Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?"' Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?'"
Ezekiel knew he had to say what needed to be said, even if it was hard for the people to hear. He knew he was doing it out of love for them because he wanted them to turn back to God and live.
We often shy away from saying things that are hard for others to hear. We don't want to hurt their feelings or make them angry. But sometimes, it is necessary to say hard things to help someone.
If you love someone, you should be willing to say hard things to them if they are in danger. You should be willing to challenge them and confront them with their sin. You should be willing to do whatever it takes to help them turn back to God and live.
Please pray with me: Lord, thank you for saying hard things to me so that I might turn to you and live. Please give me the courage to say hard things to those in spiritual danger so that they might turn to you and live. Amen.