"Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth." Proverbs 16:13 (NIV)One of the things I have learned about life over these many years is that an honest answer is always the best answer.
I can usually tell when someone is lying, not telling the whole truth, or omitting parts of the story that if told could result in some kind of problem for that person. For whatever reason, I have always been able to do this. My daughter hates this about me because it means that she seldom gets away with anything. She has asked me many times, "Daddy, how did you know?" And I say, "I just did!"
What amazes me about honesty and truth in today's world is that most people never tell "the whole truth and nothing but the truth" and everyone seems to be okay with that. People are constantly stretching the truth --- even some who call themselves Christ-followers. Know what happens to truth that is stretched? It's just like a rubber band pulled to its ultimate breaking point. One more stretch and it will pop and the sting of that elastic snap will leave a painful whelp. And once the rubber band actually breaks, it's nearly impossible to put it back together.
God talks a lot about truth, honesty, and integrity in His Word. Look at this: "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity." Proverbs 11:3 (NIV). Integrity is a faithful guide and will never lead us astray. As followers of Jesus, we must walk in the same integrity in which He walked. That is the path of truth.
When it comes to the truth, I would much rather know sooner than be surprised later. Wouldn't you? I would much rather get the full story now so that the truth of the matter can be dealt with honestly and openly. Some people wait and delay the truth - to tell the truth at a more "convenient time." But delayed truth is not truth at all. It's dishonesty and God is never pleased with dishonesty.
Yes, the truth can be painful at times and we don't like to hear it ESPECIALLY if we are the ones in the wrong. But if it is indeed the truth, let's just be honest about it.
Yes, the truth can be painful at times and we don't like to hear it ESPECIALLY if we are the ones in the wrong. But if it is indeed the truth, let's just be honest about it.
