Bible, Relationships, Faith, Compassion, Love, Truth, confidence, conflict

How To Disagree Without Losing The Relationship

When someone disagrees with you, do you speak up—or stay quiet to avoid another fight? Most of us don’t want to come across as judgmental or lose a relationship over what we believe. But staying silent doesn’t feel right either. This message is all about how to have honest, meaningful conversations—without compromising your faith or pushing people away. You’ll learn how grace and truth work together to help you show up with courage, clarity, and compassion—especially when the topic is tough.

PLAY AUDIO ONLY

MESSAGE NOTES

KNEE TO KNEE

Big Idea: If love has no truth, it loses its power to help. And if truth has no love, it loses its power to connect. The Bible calls us to hold both grace and truth without letting go of either.

Key Points:

Grace is the Bridge for Truth

[John 1:14] “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.”

  • Jesus embodied both love AND truth – perfectly and simultaneously.
  • Jesus didn’t balance truth and grace, he was 100% full of both at the same time.

[Romans 2:4] “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”

  • Grace invited a relationship and truth pulled them toward life change.
  • Grace doesn’t water down the truth, it demonstrates genuine care that naturally leads to what’s true and good.
  • God doesn’t withhold his love and care from you until you do what he wants.

“What person do you genuinely care about that you wouldn’t share the truth with?”

Grace isn’t Unclear about Truth

[Ephesians 4:15] “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ…”

[Proverbs 27:5] “An open [honest] rebuke is better than hidden love!”

  • Truth and love are not mutually exclusive.
  • The more you love someone, the more likely you are to tenderly compel them toward truth.
  • Biblical love is courageous. Love that hides the truth isn’t love at all.

“Love that never speaks truth isn’t love at all, it’s self-protection disguised as compassion.”

  • Grace doesn’t replace truth, it prepares the heart to receive it.

Grace Speaks Truth Gently

[Colossians 4:5-6] “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”

[2 Timothy 2:25] “Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.”

[Proverbs 15:1] “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.”

  • HOW you speak matters as much as what you speak.
  • Truth with the wrong tone can push people away.
  • You can be clear and kind at the same time.

“Truth loses its moral authority when it is delivered without regard to the person who’s receiving it.”

“When spoken with gentleness, truth becomes a testimony.”

Grace Sets Healthy Boundaries

[Galatians 6:1] “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.”

[Proverbs 27:6] “Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.”

  • Boundaries are an expression of love in that they protect what matters most and preserve what God says is holy.
  • We are to proactively pursue Christians who’ve fallen into sexual sin and call them to repentance – with gentleness and humility.
  • Real Christian fellowship isn’t saying what someone wants to hear but what they need to hear.

“Calling those we love to live within boundaries is tangible proof that I love you too much to see you destroy the good God intends to do.”

Next Steps:

Ask Yourself:

  • Have I softened truth and called it “love”…or become aggressive in the name of “truth”?
  • Am I building relationships that are honest, gracious, and anchored in Scripture?
  • Am I loving others by telling them the truth – or just avoiding discomfort for my own sake?

Action Steps:

  • Build relationships of grace and love with EVERYONE in your sphere of influence that needs truth
  • Become the person of trust and speak truth when asked
  • Pursue the Christians you love, who have fallen into sin, and call them back to biblical obedience with humility and kindness
  • If you’ve wandered from God’s design, repent of your sin, receive God’s grace and mercy

“You aren’t what you’ve done, you can be forgiven/made whole, and given back what you thought you lost.”

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Application Questions

  1. What stood out to you from this message and why?
  2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
  3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
  4. How will this message change how you act at home, at work, and in your relationships?

When someone disagrees with you, do you speak up—or stay quiet to avoid another fight? Most of us don’t want to come across as judgmental or lose a relationship over what we believe. But staying silent doesn’t feel right either. This message is all about how to have honest, meaningful conversations—without compromising your faith or pushing people away. You’ll learn how grace and truth work together to help you show up with courage, clarity, and compassion—especially when the topic is tough.

Share