OUTLINE:

Passive Learning & Lazy Thinkers
A person who doesn't see the need to be challenged by the Truth is a person who thinks they already know everything. (Ref. Ro 12:3; 1Co 3:18; Gal 6:3)

Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say
For words to have meaning, they must be true. Vapid words of love mean absolutely nothing. If you say you trust God, then trust Him. Otherwise you will suffer the throes of doubt.

The Sphere of Love & Obedience
Jn 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
Jn 15:10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

Gal 4:16
So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

Trustworthy Friends
Not only are they rare, they aren't in very high demand! Consider that Jesus was the most trustworthy person of all and the majority rejected Him and then murdered Him.

Perverting Grace
Because of man's arrogance, God's grace is "hard" for man to receive (so he perverts it to suit his own sensibilities).

Fear or Faith
What is our base of operations? Which dominates us: fear or faith? Does sharing the Truth scare us or excite us? Are we selfish or selfless (self-less, aka "less" of "self").

Selflessness (“less” of “self”)
The predominant feature of selflessness is faith. The motivation is love. Our hope is the Truth changes others. (1Co 13:13)

Truth or Lies
Do we seek friends that lie to us?
Have our friends sought us because we've lied to them?

2Co 11:14-15
No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

Truth or Lies
Do we seek friends that lie to us?
Have our friends sought us because we've lied to them?

People would rather have "friends" that LIE to them!

Love Takes Risks
A good friend takes the risk of offending someone they love for their friend's sake. "So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth" (Gal 4:16)? "I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less" (2Co 12:15)?

The Word of Truth
Truth disallows passivity. A decision must be made, whether agreeable or disagreeable. A person never walks away unaffected/unchanged somehow (a decision about the truth is always manifested).

“to their own destruction”
A person who rejects a challenge that is designed to stimulate spiritual growth is the person who seals their own fate. This person lives a distorted reality, unstable in all their ways (Jas 1:5-8).

Why “Read Your Bible!”?
It’s a test (ala Pr 4:7): “Do you want to know the Truth or not?"
Pr 4:7 The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;
And with all your acquiring, get understanding.