Speaking Truth with Confidence

Do you remember the first time you hesitated to speak up about something you knew was right? For me, it was a simple job mistake. I was working at a meat wholesale company, just trying to save up for school and my wedding. One day, I noticed my coworker grabbed the wrong product for an order. I second-guessed myself—after all, he had been there longer. But two hours later, the phone rang. The restaurant called to tell us we’d made a mistake. I’d been right, but I wasn’t confident enough to say anything.

That hesitation stuck with me because it’s a picture of how many of us approach the Christian life. We see something off—a friend straying from the faith, a harmful cultural trend creeping into the church, or someone we care about making destructive choices—but we stay silent. Why? Because it’s uncomfortable. We second-guess ourselves. We wonder, “Who am I to say something?”

But here’s the thing: When we’re rooted in God’s Word, we have a responsibility to speak up. As Christians, we see things others might miss—things that could be life-saving. That’s what the Apostle Paul addresses in Philippians 3. Paul wasn’t shy about warning the church in Philippi. In fact, he repeatedly urged them to “beware” of ungodly influences. His warnings weren’t out of judgment but out of love, and they’re a powerful example for us today.

So, what does it look like to warn confidently as a Christian? Let’s dive into three key aspects from Paul’s words in Philippians 3:17–19.

In Philippians 3:17–18, Paul lays out a twofold strategy for navigating the Christian life: follow godly examples and avoid ungodly influences. He begins by saying, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” Paul encourages believers to look to others who model Christlikeness—those who reflect a life devoted to God. We all need examples of faith to emulate, people who encourage us to stay the course.

But Paul doesn’t stop there. He follows this encouragement with a strong warning: “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.” The church in Philippi faced all kinds of spiritual challenges: false teachers like the Judaizers, who tried to impose Old Testament laws on Christians; the cultural influence of Roman power, pleasure, and self-exaltation; and even Gnosticism, which undermined the gospel by claiming secret knowledge.

Doesn’t that sound familiar? Our 21st-century world isn’t much different. We’re bombarded by voices—media influencers, cultural trends, self-help ideologies—that subtly, and sometimes not so subtly, pull us away from biblical truth. Paul’s warning rings just as true today: beware of the many ungodly influences in your life. Stay rooted in Scripture and surround yourself with people who will point you toward Christ, not away from Him.

Paul wasn’t afraid to repeat himself. In verse 18, he says, “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.” He didn’t just warn the Philippians once; he warned them again and again. Why? Because spiritual dangers don’t go away after one reminder. Repetition reinforces truth.

Think about teaching a child to look both ways before crossing the street. You don’t say it once and hope they remember forever. You say it repeatedly because the stakes are high. Paul understood this principle. He knew how easy it is for us to forget spiritual warnings and fall into danger. So, he kept bringing it up—not to nag but to protect.

But Paul didn’t just repeat himself; he warned passionately. Notice his emotional investment: “I tell you even weeping.” Paul cared deeply for the people he was writing to. The idea of anyone being led away from Christ broke his heart.

When was the last time you wept over someone straying from the faith? Paul’s example challenges us to warn not out of judgment or pride but out of genuine love and concern.

Paul didn’t issue warnings lightly. He understood the gravity of what was at stake. In Philippians 3:19, he describes the fate of those who reject God’s truth: “Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.”

Let’s unpack that.

First, Paul says their end is destruction. The path they’re on isn’t just dangerous; it’s devastating. It ruins lives here on earth and leads to eternal separation from God. Second, “whose God is their belly” describes people enslaved by their desires. They’re driven by what feels good in the moment rather than what aligns with God’s will. Third, they “glory in their shame,” boasting about things they should be ashamed of. And finally, they “mind earthly things,” living for the here and now instead of keeping an eternal perspective.

Paul’s warnings weren’t just observations; they were heartfelt pleas. He cared too much to stay silent. And we should feel the same urgency. Who in your life might be headed down the wrong path? A friend? A family member? A coworker?

Don’t hesitate to speak up.

Here’s the takeaway: God calls us to warn confidently, not because we’re better than anyone else but because we care. When you see someone straying from God’s truth, don’t wait. Speak the truth in love. Warn boldly yet compassionately. And trust that God can use your words to bring others back to Him.