"If I'm Being Honest"
“If I’m Being Honest”
There are several phrases that are very interesting that I thought I would analyze a little bit. I hear people saying, “I’m not gonna lie to you”… “truth be told”... “Do you want to know the truth?”... Well, I was in a situation where I wanted to say an “untruth”, but I had to decide if it would hurt the person’s feelings to tell the truth or would it be better if I lied (just a white lie of course). To be honest, I didn’t want to tell the truth. That’s when I realized that the phrase “if I’m being honest” really hit me. I could respond, “I’d rather not say,” but then people would think the worst. I could say, “Do you want me to lie?... Humm, of course they want the truth, but can they handle it?
I think we are in a society where people are very sensitive. They want to mask The Truth and discover “their truth” to what they want to do and be and say. They may have a totally radical view, but they want us to agree with it and support them whatever they do. If it is something simple like, “Do you like my dress?” (and clearly they like it), maybe saying something like, “I like to see you in that dress because it makes you smile” would make sense. On the other hand, if it is something that goes against the Word of God, I think it is important to stand up for our values and tell the truth. It may hurt their feelings, but I think we can share our convictions in love. Let the truth be our guide and we will find joy knowing we don’t have to lie.
Psalm 32:2
Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
Psalm 25:21 May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.
Lord, sometimes it is hard to tell the truth because we want to please everyone and be agreeable to what people like or do. Help us to have discernment to know the truth and the truth will set us free. Ultimately, Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the life and He is the way to the Father. Help us to see the opportunities to share His truth and not be afraid to do the right thing!
In Jesus name, Amen.