It has often been said that if you want to have a harmonious gathering, “Never talk about religion or politics.” In our current culture, we should probably also avoid discussing gender or sexuality.

I expect we avoid these topics for several reasons:

• We don’t want to offend anyone
• We don’t want to start a fight
• We don’t like confrontation
• We don’t want to violate the rules of polite society
• We don’t feel qualified to share an opinion

BUT

The Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart. You know that it’s time to open a dialog on a TABOO subject. Do you make excuses to leave early so that you can avoid the conversation? Do you start rambling before you lose your nerve?

May I offer a third option? Pray before you start the conversation. Trust God to speak through you. Pray during the conversation. Be willing to plant seeds that others will water. Continue to pray for those with whom you have shared truth.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:11-13 ESV

…“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31b-32 ESV

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. – Ephesians 4:25,29-32 ESV

I’ll close by saying, “If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it”