When Truth Gets Personal

Talkative said, "My part now is not to object, but to hear. So let me have your second question."

Faithful said, "Here it is: Do you experience the first part of this description of grace? Does your life and conduct testify to it? Or does your religion stand only in word and tongue, and not in deed and truth? If you choose to answer, say no more than what you know God above will agree with, and nothing except what your conscience can justify. For it is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. Besides, to say, 'I am this kind of person,' when your conduct and all your neighbors say you are lying, is great wickedness."

At first Talkative began to blush. But after recovering himself, he answered, "Now you have come to experience, conscience, and God, and you appeal to Him to justify what is spoken. I did not expect this kind of conversation, and I am not disposed to answer such questions. I do not count myself bound to answer unless you take it upon yourself to be my examiner. And even if you did, I may refuse to make you my judge. But please tell me why you ask me such questions."

Faithful answered, "Because I saw you eager to talk, and because I did not know that you had anything more than ideas. Also, to tell you the whole truth, I have heard that you are a man whose religion lies in talk, and that your conduct gives the lie to what your mouth professes. People say you are a stain among Christians, and that religion suffers because of your ungodly life. Some have already stumbled because of your wicked ways, and more are in danger of being ruined by them. Your religion stands together with drinking, greed, uncleanness, swearing, lying, and empty company. As a shameful woman brings disgrace to all women, so you are a shame to all who profess faith."

Talkative answered, "Since you are so ready to take up reports and judge so rashly, I can only conclude that you are a bitter or gloomy man, not fit to have conversation with. So farewell."

Then Christian came up and said to his brother, "I told you how it would happen. Your words and his sinful desires could not agree. He would rather leave your company than reform his life. But he is gone, as I said. Let him go. The loss is no one's but his own. He has saved us the trouble of leaving him, because if he continued as he is, he would only be a blot in our company. Besides, the Apostle says to withdraw from such people."

Faithful said, "I am glad we had this little conversation with him. Perhaps he will think of it again. Whatever happens, I have dealt plainly with him, and so I am clear if he perishes."

Christian answered, "You did well to speak plainly to him. There is little faithful dealing with people in these days, and that is why religion has a bad smell to many. Talkative fools, whose religion is only in words while their conduct is corrupt and empty, are often admitted into the fellowship of the godly. They make the world stumble, stain Christianity, and grieve sincere believers. I wish all people would deal with them as you have done. Then either they would become more conformed to true religion, or the company of the saints would become too warm for them."