Spirit-empowered preaching should inspire, encourage, and educate, while also correcting and rebuking, as instructed in 2 Timothy 4:2. Sermons should avoid needless offense, but proclaiming the whole counsel of God will confront sin, which can provoke irritation (conviction) to listeners. In today’s culture, many preachers avoid this conflict by weakening their message. Some progressive churches even go so far as to promote “safe” services to ensure no one feels offended.
But it has been said, “A preacher’s job is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” Pleasing everyone is impossible. The goal, then, must be to preach God’s Word boldly and without compromise – even when it risks upsetting people. Faithful preachers should fear God, not man.
The “fear of man,” as defined by the dictionary, is an unhealthy preoccupation with gaining the approval or avoiding the disapproval of others. Scripture warns, The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. — Proverbs 29:25. This is in stark contrast to the fear of the Lord, which is marked by awe, reverence, and obedience. Time and again, the Bible cautions against placing human opinion above God’s divine commands. Saul admitted as much when he said, “I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD… because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.” — 1 Samuel 15:24.
Preachers are called to be like the prophets of old—bold, uncompromising, and faithful to God’s message. Jeremiah proclaimed unpopular prophecies that brought him scorn, yet he stood firm. God reassured him: “Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee.” — Jeremiah 1:8. Elijah, too, courageously confronted powerful leaders, declaring God’s judgment to King Ahab.
Today’s preachers must show the same courage, standing firm on conviction and truth in an age of compromise. The role of the preacher is to lead, not to follow public opinion. Opposition will come, but faithfulness to God’s calling demands strength and resolve. You can be gracious in tone, but unshakable in truth.
One of the signs of the times is a lack of preaching righteousness and telling people only what they want to hear. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; — 2 Timothy 4:3. The spiritual decline we see in our nation can often be traced back to the silence—or compromise—of the pulpit. If we do not stand firmly on the truth of God’s Word, who will? The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? — Psalms 118:6. Preach the Word!
