Your Preferences Might Be Blocking the Truth

Sometimes our preferences keep us from the truth.

What we call “preference” is often just pride hiding in comfort.

We say things like, “I just prefer a certain style of preaching.”But what we often mean is, “I only want to receive truth the way that feels comfortable to me.”

And that right there… can be dangerous.

God Will Challenge What You’re Comfortable With

Here’s the reality:

God will use any vessel necessary to confront what’s in us—not to shame us, but to transform us.

If you’re uncomfortable with bold, loud voices, He may send someone who speaks with intensity. If you resist quiet conviction, He may send someone gentle and soft-spoken.

Not to make fun of you.Not to embarrass you.But to keep you in a place of humility—ready to change, ready to grow, ready to receive.

Because the goal isn’t comfort…

The goal is transformation.

The Problem Isn’t the Messenger—It’s the Heart

Scripture gives us a clear example of this through the Pharisees and the disciples.

The Pharisees listened to Jesus with one goal:to find something wrong.

The disciples listened with a different heart:to understand and receive.

Both groups heard the same words.The same truth.The same Messiah.

But one group accused…while the other asked,

“Lord, what did You mean?”

When Preference Becomes a Barrier

The Pharisees didn’t reject Jesus because He lacked truth.

They rejected Him because He didn’t fit their expectations.

He didn’t speak the way they wanted.He didn’t move within their systems.He didn’t reinforce their authority.

So instead of adjusting their hearts…

They hardened them.

And because of that, they missed the very truth they claimed to defend.

Are We Doing the Same Thing Today?

We have to be honest with ourselves.

How often do we listen not to receive—but to evaluate?

How often do we critique delivery instead of examining our hearts?

We’ve become very good at filtering truth through preference:

• “I don’t like their tone.”

• “I don’t like how they said that.”

• “That’s not my style.”

And in doing so, we sometimes miss what God is actually trying to say.

Instead of asking: "Lord, what are You showing me?”

We ask: "Do I like how this sounds?”

The Difference Between Pharisees and Disciples

This is where everything shifts.

A Pharisee listens to protect their position. A disciple listens to be transformed.

A Pharisee looks for reasons to reject. A disciple looks for truth to receive.

A Pharisee stays comfortable. A disciple is willing to be uncomfortable if it means growth.

Disciples Chase Jesus—Not Comfort

A true disciple doesn’t chase comfort.

They chase Jesus.

They don’t guard their preferences—they surrender them.

They don’t resist conviction—they lean into it.

Even when it’s uncomfortable. Even when it challenges them. Even when it exposes something in their heart.

Because they understand something powerful:

Transformation rarely feels comfortable—but it is always worth it.

A Call to Examine Our Hearts

If we’re not careful, we can become like the Pharisees—chasing comfort, defending preference, and missing truth.

But there is a better way.

We can choose humility. We can stay teachable. We can ask the right question:

“Lord… what are You saying?”

Not: "Do I like how this is being said?”

Final Thought

Truth doesn’t always come packaged the way we prefer.

But if we humble ourselves and stay open…we position ourselves not just to hear truth—

but to experience it.

Pastor Scott