Tell them, “This is what the Almighty Lord says.” . . . Don’t let the things they say frighten you. Don’t be terrified in their presence, even though they are rebellious people. Speak my words to them whether they listen or not, because they are rebellious.
Ezekiel 2:4, 6–7
I s being nice always the godly choice? Sometimes we’re nice just to keep the peace. Your friend asks you if you think she has a problem with gossip, and while you know she does, you say “no way” so that she won’t gossip about you. Or you have a friend who is mean to other people, but you don’t say anything because you don’t want to fight. When you are nice in order to protect yourself, look out, because you might just be putting yourself before God. Sometimes you, like the prophet Ezekiel, have to speak up, and that might mean ticking people off. It’s so much easier to just be nice and avoid the conflict altogether. But when sin is involved, being nice and not saying anything that would offend is contributing to that sin, even joining in.
As a God Girl you need to be fearless in speaking God’s Word. That means speaking the truth even when people don’t want to hear it. They’ll be expecting you to “love” them, meaning let them live in denial of their own sin. But that’s not loving them; it’s fearing them. You aren’t to fear anyone but God.
This isn’t a free pass to go around criticizing everyone but a call to be honest when honesty is requested. When your friends ask your opinion on something, you have an obligation to tell them the truth, even when it might hurt. But you don’t have to run around getting onto everyone’s sin; that’s like throwing pearls to pigs (see Matt. 7:6)—they just aren’t interested. But when you have an opening or even an invitation, don’t pass it up. Speak God’s Word and risk the agitation and even anger of others so that you might serve God rather than yourself.