When you read the Bible, it's clear that there are occasions where Jesus, the apostles, and the prophets use very strong language. Sometimes people refer to this as speaking with a prophetic or a serrated edge. When you look at the ministry of Jesus or the prophets in the Old Testament, it's clear that sometimes they use some pretty strong language in order to get their point across. More and more, Christians are becoming comfortable with this kind of language, especially in our day. The feeling is that the way the culture is going—the kind rhetoric, the gentle speech—that's not going to win anyone over to our side anymore. People need a stronger word.
Well, do they? What should Christians be characterized by in their speech? And when is it appropriate for us as followers of Jesus to use a harsh tone?
Called to Gentleness and Respect
I guess the first thing to note is that the Bible actually has a lot to say about the kind of speech we as followers of Jesus should be characterized by. Several passages of Scripture make this clear. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up as fits the occasion that it may give grace to those who hear.” Colossians 4:5–6 says, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” And in 2 Timothy, we read, “the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance, leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil after being captured by him to do his will” (2 Tim. 2:24–26).
Titus 3:1-2 reminds us to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Even Peter tells us to always be prepared to make a defense for the hope that we have, “yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
So, as a rule, we must be patient, gentle, gracious, and respectful in our speech as Christians. This is true when speaking to or about outsiders or non-Christians. But it's also true when addressing struggling sinners within the church (cf Gal. 6:1). The temptation is for us to grow impatient with brothers and sisters who struggle and to speak harshly to them.
Speaking with Wolves
But Paul says the mature believer should operate out of a spirit of gentleness toward the weaker brother. So if that's the case, then when is the kind of language that Jesus used with the Pharisees called for? Martin Luther, who was known for pretty colorful language, said, referencing Paul's tone in the Book of Galatians:
We should follow Paul's example, showing affection to those who go astray like parents toward their children. That way, they will be aware of our fatherly and motherly affection toward them and will see that we don't wish their ruin but rather their well-being. On the other hand, against the devil and his ministers, and against the authors of false doctrine and the sects, we should also follow the other example of the apostle. With them we should show ourselves impatient, proud, cutting, bitter, detesting, and condemning of their trickery and double talk with all possible zeal and severity. This is what parents do when a dog bites their son and hurts him. They chase the dog, but with the sweetest words, comfort and speak gently to the child.
John Calvin wrote something very similar in his Commentary on Titus, Chapter one, verse nine: “The pastor ought to have two voices, one for gathering the sheep and another for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both, for he who is deeply skilled in it will be able both to govern those who are teachable and to refute the enemies of the truth.”
So this seems to fit with the example set for us by Jesus with the Pharisees, whom Jesus likened to the devil's ministers (John 8:44). Jesus frequently used harsh language. This was because they were hypocrites who shut the door of God's kingdom in the face of those who were seeking to enter. Remember, Jesus said that they abused the very sheep they were called to shepherd into the kingdom of God (Matt. 23:13). It wasn't always the case, but there are definitely times in the Gospels where Jesus is anything but gentle with the Pharisees.
How to Address the World
But Jesus seems to have had more patience for worldly sinners, prostitutes, and tax collectors than he did for religious hypocrites. He frequently called them to repentance without mocking them. You think of his interaction with the woman at the well, or the woman caught in adultery later in John's Gospel. While Jesus certainly used harsh language, his ministry was characterized by compassion and gentleness. We can point to instances where Christ was acting out of holy anger, like when he turned over the money changers' tables at the temple, but we need to understand why he did what he did and not just use that as an excuse for venting unholy anger.
Undergirding this idea of gracious speech is the general wisdom that we find in places like Proverbs 16: “The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Gracious words are like a honeycomb sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Prov. 16:21–24). We need discernment to know when it is proper to use the strong tone Jesus and the apostles and prophets employed on certain occasions. If used indiscriminately, we can drive away the very sinners Christ is pursuing.
Harshness toward lost sheep and gentleness toward predators are both errors that are equally devastating to the Church. The verbiage of the prophets toward adulterous Israel or Jesus toward the apostate Pharisees isn't an excuse for us to be disrespectful, impatient, and harsh toward the people we disagree with. The general rule is that, as Christians, we're known for being patient, kind, gentle, and respectful in our speech, even towards unbelievers. That doesn't mean there isn't a place for the prophetic edge, but we have to be careful that it doesn't become the only tool in our toolbox.
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The full video of Pastor Adriel Sanchez discussing this question is available on the Sola Media YouTube channel: “When Should Christians Use Harsh Language?”
