What Jesus’s example teaches us about integrity and courage
Sometimes what other people think, say, or do is very upsetting to me. But I don’t always know how to handle the situation. Should I say something? Should I ignore them? Do I dare risk their criticism or some other kind of backlash? I want to have the courage to speak up, but I don’t want to say or do something that I will regret later.
When I reflect on some disastrous interactions I’ve had in the past, I realize that some situations are just too fraught to speak openly. When I counsel my students in war-torn Myanmar, I have to remember that they might be imprisoned or killed for saying the wrong thing in public. In the family or at church, I want my voice to be heard, but I sure don’t want to alienate or cause irreparable damage unnecessarily.
Recently, while searching for how to handle a situation that was disturbing me, I had the opportunity to pray with these discernment questions in the Chartres Cathedral. As I looked around at the stained-glass windows and sculptures of Jesus’ life ministry, I suddenly realized something. Now I know why the well-known guideline, “What would Jesus do?” isn’t always helpful. Jesus didn’t have just one way of responding to people with whom he disagreed or who were saying or doing something he found offensive. The context mattered, as did the person with whom he was interacting.
Sometimes Jesus spoke up, and other times he remained silent. Sometimes he was confrontational and spoke harshly, other times, he was gentle and kind. Sometimes he spoke with words, other times he let his actions speak for him. But no matter how he responded, he made his choices wisely and courageously, always in keeping with God’s values and priorities, whether he spoke up or not.
- Jesus spoke up when moved by compassion. For example, on one Sabbath, Jesus wanted to heal a man with a shriveled hand, but the religious leaders forbade any “work” on the Sabbath. So, Jesus “asked them, ‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored” (Mark 3:4-5). Sometimes, we have to speak up when those around us (e.g., leaders, friends, family) forget that God values justice and mercy above our human-made rules and regulations (Micah 6:8).
- Jesus was clever in his choice of words when it was too dangerous to speak directly. One time, the leaders tried to trap him in his words by asking him if Jews should pay taxes to the Roman government. Jesus saw through their hypocrisy, and cleverly answered by saying “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17). By doing so, he could sidestep the trap being laid for him without compromising his integrity. Sometimes, we have to be smart about what choose to say when others want to harm us.
- Jesus spoke up when his followers might have been confused or misled by their religious leaders. Once, while teaching, he said, “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach” (Matt. 23:2-3, NIV). Sometimes, we have to speak up when our leaders are betraying godly values by their behavior for the sake of those who are at risk of following their bad example.
- Jesus knew how to skillfully defuse volatile situations by speaking the truth while avoiding direct confrontation with dangerous people. In the well-known story of the woman caught in adultery, Jesus both circumvents the trap set for him by the religious leaders and protects a vulnerable person at the same time. Jesus said, “‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one…. Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, sir.’ And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again’” (John 8:6-11). Sometimes, we have to calculate the risks of speaking directly and find creative ways to speak and live by our faith and values.
curtly responds to Pilate, and completely refuses to answer Herod (Luke 23).
- Jesus remained silent when he knew there was nothing to be gained by speaking up. After Jesus had been arrested, “the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer” (Mark 14:60-61). Likewise, when he was brought before King Herod, he refused to answer his questions (Luke 23:9). Sometimes, silence is the best response to people who aren’t looking for the truth or who are just looking for an excuse to condemn or hurt you.
- Jesus spoke up most loudly by his actions, with or without words. Jesus once said of himself, “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). And that’s how he lived, day after day. And that’s why he was willing to sacrifice all for the sake of those who put their faith in him. Sometimes, action, not words, is our most powerful way to “speak up”. How we love others is how we best reflect the light of Jesus Christ in contexts full of darkness and evil.
Discerning how and when to speak up often isn’t easy. In the situation that led me to seek God’s wisdom so earnestly while in France, the answer eventually came. I had to speak up. I am bending over backwards to do so in the most constructive way, but I could not let my fear of judgment or rejection make me hide or pretend that I was fine with what was happening. I still don’t know how it is all going to turn out, but I feel peaceful and confident that I did (and am doing) the right thing by speaking up.
May God give you the wisdom you need to discern where, when, and how you need to speak up in your life, and then courage and strength to do with integrity.
The Spirit-Led Leader 