The church needs men like Paul.  Yes, Paul was an apostle, but that is not what I am referring to here.  I am talking about men who are willing to stand for the truth no matter what the consequences might be.  Paul demonstrated this on several occasions.

Perhaps the most notable occasion that Paul stood for what was right in a difficult situation was the time he confronted Peter to his face.

Galatians 2:11-14 (ESV)
¹¹  But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. ¹²  For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. ¹³  And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. ¹⁴  But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Peter was well-known for being a part of the inner circle of Christ and viewed as one of the pillars of the church (Galatians 2:9).  It took a lot of courage for Paul to publicly rebuke him for his error.  To Peter’s credit, he seemed to accept Paul’s rebuke well.  We never hear of him showing any hostility toward Paul after this, and, in fact, he later referred to him as “our beloved brother” (2 Peter 3:15).

Paul was worried that the brethren at Galatia would not be so receptive to his rebukes, due mostly to the influence of the false teachers who were leading them astray.

Galatians 4:15-16 (ESV)
¹⁵  What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶  Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?

What a sad development.  By warning them that they were being led astray by false teachers, Paul was showing them the highest degree of love.  They should have thanked him, but instead, they counted him as an enemy.  They did not realize that their real enemies were the Judaizing teachers demanding that they be circumcised.

How do we respond when someone tells us the truth, even when that truth is unpleasant?  We must be careful not to discount reproof just because our feelings are hurt, or we are a little embarrassed.  If we are doing something wrong and someone warns us about it, that instruction can be the difference between us being saved or lost.  James reminds us that the one who brings back a sinner from his wandering saves a soul from death (James 5:20).

Instead of getting angry when someone tells you the truth about something amiss in your life, be thankful and make the proper adjustments.

Proverbs 10:17 (ESV)
¹⁷  Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

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