UNDILUTED TRUTH. HUMBLE SHOES.

I’m just going to say it. Sometimes I want to snap.

When someone says they’re a Christian but acts like they’ve never actually read the Word… When they’re rude. Dismissive. Patronizing. When they quote a verse like a mic drop but forget the part where Jesus washed feet.

There’s a real temptation to correct them…sharply. To out-scripture them. To remind them that the Bible is not a personality upgrade.

But before I go grabbing my theological stone, the Holy Spirit gently reminds me: You, too, are a sinner saved by grace. And that changes the tone.

Now hear me clearly — we never water down the Word of God. Not for culture. Not for comfort. Not for applause.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” — Hebrews 4:12

It is supposed to cut. It is supposed to convict. It is supposed to confront. If Scripture never challenges you, you’re not submitting to it — you’re sampling it.

Sin is still sin. Holiness still matters. Repentance is still required.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23. All. That includes the loud Christian. The quiet Christian. The recovering Christian. And the one writing this blog post.

And this is where the story in Gospel of John 8:1–11 steadies us.

The religious leaders drag a woman caught in adultery before Jesus. They quote the law correctly. They are not wrong about what the law says. Adultery was serious. But they are missing something. They are preaching truth without remembering who they are.

Jesus does not water down the law. He does not excuse her sin. He does not say, “It’s fine, live however you want.”

He says: “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone.”

Undiluted truth.

One sentence exposes everyone.

Then after the stones hit the ground and the crowd disappears, Jesus tells the woman: “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

There it is.

No condemnation.

No compromise.

He holds the standard. He extends mercy. He calls for change.

That is the balance.

We’re called to be unflinchingly faithful to the Word. But when we deal with people, we must remember: we were the one on the ground once. And if we’re honest, we’ve held a stone before too.

This is where the recovery phrase hits home: It works if you work it.

Truth works — if you apply it to yourself first.

Grace works — if you extend it after receiving it.

Repentance works — if you actually turn and walk differently.

Humility works — if you practice it instead of just preaching it.

If we forget we’re sinners saved by grace, we become professional stone-holders. If we soften the Word to avoid tension, we rob people of transformation.

The goal is not to win arguments. The goal is changed lives — starting with our own.

So yes, preach repentance. Call sin what it is. Stand firm when culture wobbles.

But when you correct someone, remember: You are not spiritually superior. You are spiritually rescued.

Undiluted truth. Humble shoes.

And before you open your mouth —make sure your stone is already on the ground.