Telling the Truth
It is important that we tell the truth regardless of how uncomfortable that may be. That does not mean that we must be mean spirited or belligerent to do it. We must speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Lies, however, are so appealing to many today. This is because people generally want to justify how they act without worrying about whether what they are saying and doing is right or wrong. A lie is an easy way to justify oneself. The Bible tells us where this deceptiveness originates—in our own hearts! “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Fortunately, God has given us the truth so that we can expose the lies. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11).
What is more difficult than telling the truth to another person who does not want to hear it is telling the truth to yourself. My heart has already persuaded me to believe some false justification and in order for me to change, I must tell myself that I am wrong! That is not easy to do, but that is what repentance is all about, acknowledging the falsehoods in our lives, rejecting them, and moving in the other direction away from them. This takes time. God waited nine months to send Nathan to David regarding his sin with Bathsheba. Why did God not send Nathan immediately? The only reason I can think of is that David’s heart was not ready to change, but God knew that David would once he got over himself. We all need to get over ourselves and let God’s powerful word transform our lives. To do that, we must keep telling the truth to others and ourselves, no matter how uncomfortable that might be.
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley