While Christians are exhorted by the Scriptures to speak blessings upon those who curse us and turn the cheek, there is also the command to "speak the Truth in love." That does not mean to sugar-coat reality but rather to be motivated by love enough to confront the lies that try to bind (and blind) us. There is no contradiction here; it's all about timing. "There is a time for everything in it's season..."
From the Scriptures we learn that it is a blessing to have a friend who will speak the Truth into our lives, although it is not necessarily what we want to hear.
Also, there is a gift called the prophet who is given, in part, to shake up hypocrites in high places, in and out of the Church.
Though the Church should embrace these ministries, such "friends and prophets" are often branded as dissenters and quite likely end up chained in dungeons or with their heads on chopping blocks (e.g. Jeremiah, John the Baptist). The greatest emphasis of our Savior's earthly ministry was that of a prophet/teacher, and it made him very unpopular with the quasi-political religious leaders.
Many Believers were not offended by Ricky Gervais's monologue at the Golden globe awards this week because it was a strong poke in the eyes of corrupt Hollywood moguls, who consistently mock evangelicals and conservatives with no retribution. We are thrilled with him right now for the same reason that we love Donald Trump; not because he is a good Christian who "plays by the rules" but because, he is not afraid to speak Truth to power, whether hypocrisy in government(s), the news media, or the entertainment world. (I do pray for Trump, Hollywood, and for Gervais, an atheist who barely tolerates those who thank God in their acceptance speeches.)
Together with Gervais and Trump, who risk being labeled as bullies, we celebrate the demise of institutions of sub-performing elites who care only about themselves and nothing for the people who provide their bread and butter.
May God raise up more prophets in the Church who will speak uncompromisingly in the pulpit and the public square, wherever and whatever the spirit of the Lord would direct them. And may the Church be willing to even recognize the "secular" prophet or prince who may unwittingly be an instrument in the hand of the Lord.
WMS
