Sometimes good things are highjacked by misinformed people and used incorrectly.  For example, the name “Church of God” is a perfectly scriptural name for a church to wear since the New Testament church was sometimes referred to as such (1 Corinthian 1:2); however, a man-made, denominational church has highjacked the name and so, even though the church is not right, it does wear a scriptural name.

Such can happen with phrases and various sayings as well.  Several years ago, the saying, “accentuate the positive” was highjacked by the religious world, and even used sometimes by brethren, but it was used in a way not originally intended.  It was used to suggest that only positive things should be preached in our pulpits, and that all negative, potentially offensive, doctrines should be avoided.

The gospel of Christ is not always positive.  Remember, the gospel refers to the total teachings of the New Testament, and while there are many positive things that we can and should accentuate in our preaching, there are warnings that need to be heeded.  For example, the fact that those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel, will be punished with everlasting destruction, is not a particularly positive doctrine, but it was taught by Paul, who was moved by the Holy Spirit to write it (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).  We should preach what Paul preached.  Not all preaching is meant to make people feel good.  Some preaching is meant to convict.  That is one of the reasons the Holy Spirit was sent to the apostles in the first place.

John 16:7-8 (ESV)
⁷  Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. ⁸  And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

The Holy Spirit would not be able to do this by only accentuating the positive.  Straightforward teaching, even if it is not what people want to hear, is what is sometimes needed to convict the heart. The very first gospel sermon preached by Peter, who was moved by the Holy Spirit, is an example of this.

Acts 2:36-37 (ESV)
³⁶  Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” ³⁷  Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Do you think the Jews listening to Peter were struck by the positive message that he was preaching?  No, of course not.  To them it was positive not at all, but they knew it was the truth and were convicted by it enough to obey the gospel and be saved (vers. 38-41).  Imagine that!  About 3,000 souls were saved because of a straightforward message that did not accentuate the positive.

Having said this, I should also point out that at times the positive nature of the gospel must be accentuated.  Preaching messages that are negative in nature all the time is just as bad as preaching only positive messages that itch the ear.  We all need to be reminded of the blessings we enjoy because of the grace of God.  The message I am trying to get across is this: Our preaching and teaching must be balanced.  We must declare the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27), both positive and negative.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.