Building Godly Relationships #2
Responding to Truth
By Pastor Kobus Massyn
9/11/2025
John 14:6 — I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Jesus is the ultimate truth-teller.
His correction is loving, redemptive, restoring.
Jesus taught that every strong relationship, with God and with people, is built on truth.
Truth invites a response.
How we respond determines the strength or ruin of our relationships.
Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount by saying:
Matt 7:24–27 – “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them…”
The difference between house standing or falling is not hearing — everyone hears —
it’s responding.
To build healthy, God-honoring relationships, we must learn to respond rightly to truth.
We read about these three responses to truth:
Wise response
Foolish response
Evil/Destructive response
And how these shape our relationships.
THE WISE RESPONSE:
Receive truth & Adjust Yourself
Matthew 7:24–25 – The wise man hears and practices—his house stands.
Psalm 141:5 – “Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness… let him rebuke me—it is oil on my head.”
The wise person:
Welcomes truth
Sees correction as kindness
Adjusts himself
Grows
The wise person says:
“YOU are right — I will change.”
This is humility.
It strengthens trust — and trust strengthens relationships.
Nathan and David — 2 Samuel 12
When Nathan confronted David about his sin, David repented immediately.
This restored his relationship with God and kept his destiny intact.
Other Supporting Scriptures
Prov 12:1 — Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge
Prov 13:10 — Pride leads to conflict; wisdom is found in those who take advice
Heb 12:11 — Discipline yields righteous fruit
Practical Example
Your spouse / friend tells you:
“You are harsh with your words.”
A wise response:
“Thank you. I didn’t see it. I will work on it.”
Even if the delivery isn’t perfect, the wise person finds the truth, accepts it, and grows.
RESULT → relationship deeper, stronger
THE FOOLISH RESPONSE:
Argue & Adjust the Truth
Eph 5:15 – So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
Proverbs 9:7–8 – Do not correct a scoffer; he will hate you. Correct a wise man, he will love you.
The foolish person:
Hears truth
But debates it
Argues about it
Adjusts it to protect himself
Rationalizes & justifies
He says:
“I am right. YOU change.”
This response breaks trust.
It weakens relationships because truth can’t build where it’s resisted.
King Saul — blamed the people, refused responsibility (1 Sam 15)
When confronted by Samuel, Saul defended himself and shifted blame —
He refused correction → he lost his kingdom.
Prov 14:12 — There is a way that seems right to a man… end is death
Prov 15:5 — A fool rejects his father’s discipline…
A friend says:
“You gossip a lot; it hurts others.”
Foolish response:
“I only speak truth — and why do you care? Others do worse!”
They protect ego, not relationship.
RESULT → relationship damaged, growth blocked
THE EVIL RESPONSE:
Attack & Reject / Walk Away
Titus 3:10 – Warn a divisive person once, then twice; after that, have nothing to do with them.
The evil / hardened responder doesn’t just reject truth —
he sees truth as a threat.
He may:
Cut relationship
Attack the messenger
Spread division
Leave rather than repent
He says:
“YOU are the problem — I reject both truth AND you.”
John 8
When Jesus speaks truth, the pharisees feel threatened…
They seek to kill Him instead of change.
Mark 10
The rich young ruler walked away from Jesus because truth threatened his lifestyle.
Other Scriptures
2 Tim 4:3 — people rejecting sound doctrine
Prov 29:1 — one who hardens his neck will be broken beyond remedy
Practical Example
A pastor lovingly confronts someone living in sin.
Evil response:
“You are judging me! I’m done with this church!”
They walk away from truth and relationship.
RESULT = separation, destruction
HOW THIS RELATES TO GODLY RELATIONSHIPS
Love shares Truth and Truth builds relationships.
But only if we respond in love also.
Response
Attitude
Effect on Relationship
Wise
Adjust myself
Strengthens
Foolish
Adjust truth
Damages
Evil
Reject truth & relationship
Destroys
Where truth is received → relationships flourish
Where truth is debated → relationships suffer
Where truth is rejected → relationships end
OUR DESIRE IS TO BUILT GODLY RELATIONSHIPS
Rom 8:5 – For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose].
1 Cor 2:6-7 – Yet we do speak wisdom among those spiritually mature [believers who have teachable hearts and a greater understanding]; but [it is a higher] wisdom not [the wisdom] of this present age nor of the rulers and leaders of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom once hidden [from man, but now revealed to us by God, that wisdom] which God predestined before the ages to our glory [to lift us into the glory of His presence].
HOW TO CULTIVATE A WISE HEART
Love first
John 13:35 – By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”
2) Pray for teachability
Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart
3) Slow to speak
James 1:19–20 – …quick to listen
4) Listen for truth, not tone
Even imperfect rebuke may contain truth.
5) Invite correction
Prov 27:6 – Faithful are the wounds of a friend
Ask:
“What do you see in my life I can grow in?”
Practice repentance
Repentance = changing direction — not defending yourself
If we want godly relationships, we must be the kind of people who respond well to truth.
