Am I Talking About You?

Download the entire May 2009 issue of the Water of Life.

In Acts chapter 2, Peter preached an extremely bold sermon to those who were gathered in Jerusalem. He accused the Jewish people of MURDERING the Son of God. He said, “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know – Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death… Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Ac. 2:22-23, 36).

Peter’s strong words “pricked” the hearts of about 3,000 people on that day, and brought them to repentance (Ac. 2:37-38, 41). On the other hand, the majority of those who were present on that day (cf. vs. 5) remained in their sins. Do you suppose that any of them were angry because Peter had accused them of murder? Well, we don’t have to look far to find the answer. They were definitely angry! (cf. Ac. 4:18-21; 5:27-28, 40-41)

Things haven’t changed much in the last 2000 years. People have the same reactions today as then. Some are “pricked in their heart,” and repent of their sins, while others become very angry that “our preacher would dare talk about me!” But there’s more! Sometimes, people get angry with the preacher when he was not even directing his remarks toward them! In this article, I want to explore the question: “Am I Talking About You?”

First of all, I would like to suggest the obvious: if you are “not guilty,” then I am NOT talking about you! Some people are “self-conscious,” and they think that everyone is out to “get” them. This is commonly called a “martyr-complex.” Frankly, if that is your attitude, then you have a serious problem, and you need to get a handle on it. You are not so important that the entire world is out to get you, so get over it! Speaking for myself, you needn’t feel “falsely accused” of some sin unless I actually call your name from the pulpit, and falsely accuse you! If you are not sure, then ask me, and I will gladly tell you if I had you in mind. But whatever you do, don’t get angry, because your anger betrays you! Usually, if one is angered over a Bible truth which is preached, it is a sign of guilt. Paul said to the Galatians, “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16) When you get angry because a preacher preaches on a subject that “hits too close to home,” you are advertising your own sense of guilt!

Second, I want to say that: if you are “guilty,” then I AM talking about you! This is true whether I am actually aware of your sin or not. I have an obligation to “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” (2 Tim. 4:2). If you want to know what gives me the “right” to preach to you, then just read Titus 2:15: “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.” This verse gives me “all authority” to say WHAT needs to be said (i.e., Biblical truth), TO WHOM, it needs to be said, WHENEVER and WHEREEVER it needs to be said, period! So, if you’re “guilty as charged,” then you NEED to be preached to. Furthermore, you need to REPENT! Jesus said, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Lk. 13:3). If the truth hits home, then I would suggest that you take Jesus’ advice!

I am persuaded that many understand the principle of what I have said. But the difficulty comes when the truth hits home. To illustrate, consider Paul’s defense of himself in Acts 22. The people whom he addressed listened quietly and respectfully at first (Ac. 21:40-22:2). But, as he preached, he said something which drove them into a fit of rage. He said that Jesus wanted Paul to go to the “Gentiles” (vs. 21). “And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, ‘Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live’!” (vs. 22) People can be quite irrational when the truth hits home! However, we must understand that the goal of such hard-hitting preaching is to keep you “sound in the faith” (Tit. 1:10-13).

Finally, it is important for us to understand that the truth does not change – not for you, or anyone else! Further, your anger does not cure the real problem, because it does nothing to remove the guilt of sin. James said, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (Jas. 1:19-20). Let us never be guilty of misplaced anger. Instead, let us examine ourselves (Gal. 6:4-5). If we need to repent, let’s do so! Our souls hang in the balance.

Lanny Smith