Facts Don’t Have Feelings, But People Do

We love to say it, don’t we?

“Facts don’t care about your feelings.”

And listen, there’s truth in that.

Facts are facts. God’s Word is not up for debate, and truth doesn’t bend to our emotions or preferences.

But while facts don’t have feelings, people do.

And the last time I checked, Jesus died for people—not facts.

We are living in a culture where “speaking truth” has become a badge of honor, but more often than not, it comes at the expense of love, humility, and compassion. Somewhere along the way, we’ve confused being righteously bold with being self-righteously harsh. There’s a fine line between the two—and too many of us are toeing it with steel-toed boots.

Truth Is Not a Weapon Against Others.

Afterall, it is not others we are at war with.

Let me be clear: the gospel is offensive. It confronts sin. It calls us to repentance. It demands change. But it’s not supposed to be wielded like a weapon against others—it’s a rescue mission, not an attack plan.

Jesus didn’t shy away from calling sin what it was. He rebuked. He corrected. But He also restored. He invited. He healed. He led people toward something better.

Too often, modern Christian culture skips that part. We’re good at pointing out what’s wrong but offer little in the way of redemption, support, or practical hope.

It’s one thing to say, “Don’t live like that.”

It’s another to say, “Let me show you a better way—and walk with you through it.”

A Moment That Changed How I Speak Truth

I’ll never forget sitting in the hospital cafeteria during lunch one day when I used to work at a medical facility. I was at a table with a group of coworkers, including a woman who was very vocal about being a Christian.

As we ate, a same-sex couple came in and sat down nearby. What happened next was honestly heartbreaking. This woman began loudly and proudly declaring how much she “disagreed with that lifestyle”—not in a thoughtful, prayerful way, but in a rude, belittling, and humiliating way. It was loud enough for others around to hear.

I sat there stunned, ashamed, and deeply conflicted. Did I agree with everything about the couple’s lifestyle? No. But did I believe that was the time, place, or method to address it? Absolutely not.

That wasn’t love. That wasn’t truth. That was pride parading as righteousness.

I had to excuse myself from the table—not just because I was uncomfortable, but because I couldn’t co-sign behavior that I believe pushes people further away from God rather than drawing them near.

Moments like that have to make us stop and ask: Are we really representing Jesus—or just our own opinions?

The Problem with Self-Righteousness

Self-righteousness is sneaky. It can sound holy. It can quote scripture. It can post “truth bombs” online that get thousands of likes.

But it’s not Christlike.

Jesus was without sin, and yet He never made people feel like they were too far gone.

He didn’t cancel the woman caught in adultery. He didn’t shout down the woman at the well. He didn’t parade Zacchaeus’ sins in front of the crowd.

He called them out, yes—but He called them close first.

Can we say the same?

Or have we created a culture where sinners feel like they need to clean up before they can come close?

Grace Is Not Compromise

Here’s the tension: how do we speak truth without compromising it, while still making people feel seen and loved?

The answer: look at Jesus.

Jesus didn’t say, “Go and keep doing whatever makes you happy.” He said, “Go and sin no more.” But He said it after He stooped down in the dirt with the accused, after He protected her from the stones of the self-righteous, after He acknowledged her humanity.

Truth isn’t less true because it’s wrapped in compassion.

We don’t have to yell to be bold. We don’t have to shame people to lead them to repentance. And we don’t have to pretend sin is okay in order to show someone that they are deeply loved.

Living the Life God Designed

Let’s be honest—some people are living in sin and feel just fine. They’re not broken, not desperate, not searching for answers.

They’re happy. Comfortable. Fulfilled by the world’s standards.

So how do you reach them?

You live the alternative.

Not just preach it.

You show them the joy, peace, and strength that comes from walking with God. You demonstrate contentment that isn’t circumstantial. You respond with grace when you’re wronged. You walk in purpose even when life is hard. You reflect a kind of freedom and security that only God can give.

And when they ask (and trust me, they will eventually), you don’t lead with condemnation. You lead with your story. You lead with Jesus.

Because no matter how happy someone thinks they are, nothing compares to the life Jesus offers. And people won’t believe it until they see it in you.

Final Thoughts

Facts don’t have feelings, but people do.

And Jesus didn’t come just to win arguments—He came to win hearts.

May we never forget that the same truth that saved us is the truth that can save them.

But we didn’t get there because someone shouted us into submission—we got there because Jesus loved us in our mess and still told us the truth.

Let’s be people who do the same.