How to Tell the Truth with Kindness & Love | Sadie, Christian & Preston Perry

WHOA That's Good Podcast: Episode Summary

Title: How to Tell the Truth with Kindness & Love
Host: Sadie Robertson Huff
Guest: Preston Perry
Release Date: January 8, 2025

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of the "WHOA That's Good Podcast," host Sadie Robertson Huff welcomes Preston Perry, author of How to Tell the Truth, to discuss the delicate balance of conveying truth with kindness and love. Alongside her co-host Christian Huff, Sadie delves deep into Preston's transformative journey, his impactful book, and his insights on effective evangelism.

Preston Perry's Background and Transformation

Early Life Challenges

Preston Perry opens up about his tumultuous upbringing on the south side of Chicago. Raised by a single mother in a poverty-stricken area, Preston faced numerous hardships from a young age:

Early Missteps: At just 12 years old, Preston began selling weed, lost his virginity, and even broke into his first car.
Family Environment: Surrounded by uncles involved in street life and criminal activities, Preston's environment was far from nurturing.

Turning Point: Encounter with Faith

A pivotal moment occurred when Preston was pursuing a girl from a house church in Atlanta. Her father, a pastor, challenged him:

[03:14] Preston Perry: "If God gave me a spouse that met my every condition, I would never learn how to love unconditionally."

This encounter, during a sermon, forced Preston to reevaluate his understanding of love and covenant in marriage. Though he missed the first opportunity to join the church that day, he returned the following Sunday at age 15, marking the beginning of his spiritual transformation.

The Best Advice: Unconditional Love in Marriage

Preston shares the most impactful advice he received about marriage:

[02:59] Preston Perry: "If God gave me a spouse that met my every condition, I would never learn how to love unconditionally."

This wisdom reshaped his approach to marriage, emphasizing the importance of loving beyond personal preferences and conditions.

Insights on Evangelism and Telling Truth with Kindness

The Power of Questions in Evangelism

Preston emphasizes the significance of asking thoughtful, intentional questions in evangelism:

[13:45] Preston Perry: "Every heart really has a cry. We just have to ask the right questions to hear it."

He draws parallels to Jesus's approach, highlighting how questions can help individuals uncover their own truths without feeling attacked:

[14:10] Preston Perry: "Jesus always asks questions that he knew the answer to... he's trying to reveal something."

Boldness Empowered by the Holy Spirit

Discussing the balance between boldness and love, Preston clarifies that true boldness is not about fearlessness but about being empowered by the Holy Spirit:

[21:10] Preston Perry: "Boldness is not doing what men are afraid to do. Boldness is doing what God empowers you to do."

He contrasts this with baseless boldness, which lacks the backing of the Spirit and can come off as foolish.

Telling the Truth with Compassion

Preston underscores that conveying truth must always be paired with genuine love to avoid alienation:

[21:36] Preston Perry: "Because God is a God of love, he's always going to allow you to speak in a loving way for his glory."

Personal Stories Illustrating Evangelism Principles

Mentorship and Early Inspiration

Preston recounts his mentorship with Ms. Magnus, a teacher who recognized his poetic talent and encouraged him to embrace his gift:

[10:09] Preston Perry: "She just started to affirm me of how brilliant I was and how great of a thinker I was."

This mentorship was crucial in Preston discovering his passion for language and storytelling, which later became integral to his evangelistic approach.

Evangelism in Action: The Jehovah's Witness Encounter

A memorable story involves an interaction with Jehovah's Witnesses at an airport:

Initial Conversation: Preston engages respectfully, aiming to plant seeds by asking meaningful questions.
Unexpected Revelation: Upon returning to the restaurant, Preston discovers that his wife Jackie has been praying with a waitress who was an ex-Jehovah's Witness grappling with past trauma.
Sharing the Gospel: Instead of overwhelming the woman with scripts, Preston shares his wife's story, leading to a heartfelt exchange and the woman's openness to faith.

[25:14] Preston Perry: "When you ask good questions... the moment they ask you a question with their guards down is when you start to gain traction with them."

The Lady at the Well and Authentic Engagement

Preston draws inspiration from the biblical story of the woman at the well, emphasizing authentic connection over miraculous interventions:

[29:40] Preston Perry: "She didn't do a five-point sermon. She just said, 'Go see for yourself.'"

This approach fosters genuine relationships and meaningful conversations that resonate deeply with individuals.

Key Takeaways and Conclusions

Embrace Your Unique Role as a Seed Planter

Preston advocates for viewing evangelism as planting seeds rather than guaranteed conversions:

[43:04] Preston Perry: "God wants to raise up a generation of evangelists. That's just okay with being seed planters."

He emphasizes that each individual's approach to evangelism can vary, and success isn't measured by immediate results but by the seeds sown.

Integrate Love with Knowledge

Balancing theological knowledge with compassionate delivery is crucial:

[53:06] Preston Perry: "Knowledge is good, but God wants us to be in tune with people. He wants us to listen to stories... not give the truth in a garbage bag."

Avoid the "Save Your Confidence Complex"

Preston warns against relying solely on personal achievements in evangelism:

[44:17] Preston Perry: "Don't find your identity in the information you know but in the God that you know."

Instead, he urges evangelists to trust in God's sovereignty and focus on relational authenticity.

Final Reflections

The episode concludes with mutual appreciation between Sadie and Preston, highlighting the profound impact of Preston's insights on effective and compassionate evangelism. Preston's journey from a troubled youth to a dedicated evangelist underscores the transformative power of faith, love, and intentional storytelling.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Unconditional Love in Marriage:
[03:14] Preston Perry: "If God gave me a spouse that met my every condition, I would never learn how to love unconditionally."
Boldness Empowered by the Holy Spirit:
[21:10] Preston Perry: "Boldness is not doing what men are afraid to do. Boldness is doing what God empowers you to do."
Knowledge vs. Love in Evangelism:
[53:06] Preston Perry: "Knowledge is good, but God wants us to be in tune with people. He wants us to listen to stories... not give the truth in a garbage bag."
Seed Planting Philosophy:
[43:04] Preston Perry: "God wants to raise up a generation of evangelists. That's just okay with being seed planters."

This episode offers a rich exploration of how to effectively communicate truth within the framework of love and kindness. Preston Perry's personal anecdotes and theological insights provide invaluable guidance for believers seeking to engage in meaningful evangelism.