When We’re Honest

If you reside in my same world, you’ve been lied to or lied about. And it hurts. Just as, you’ve probably lied to or lied about someone. . . and it hurts.

We have all been broken by someone bending the truth.

Unfortunately, we don’t have to be taught how to lie. It begins when we learn how to talk.

Honestly, when is the last time that you tweaked the truth?

I’m sure for me it’s the last time someone asked how I was.  The mask fits well, so I say “Oh. I’m fine” or offended me (yes, there’s that word) and I say, “That’s okay, I’ll get over it.” Or maybe it was in the bigger things when I compromised and said something was right that was so wrong . . .

And so, I hate when I lie to myself . . . and others.

I can remember as a child having my mouth washed out with soap, horrible tasting green Palmolive soap to be exact. Dove would’ve probably been less repulsive and somewhat more spiritual. I’m guessing (and you are, too) that today I could declare abuse and my poor mom who just wanted an honest kid would be hauled off to jail.

Scripture tells us that God hates a liar. It’s what got us into this mess. Lies are as old as the devil. Especially his favorite – that he’s just a medieval fairy tale. Pretty crafty.

What else could’ve tripped up the sandals of the mighty ones who walked before us? Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Rachel, David, Peter . . . they all fell into a place where they had to lie their failing-human way out.

Just-like-them, just-like-us.  We can learn from their flaws, and ours. And so we look in the mirror and see grace looking back.

In a fragile culture we wear a mask and live life hidden, afraid to say who we are – who God is and that Christ’s salvation is the only way out. It’s even become harder to find truth in churches.  It’s got to be “more correct” than accurate.

And why is it important to desire authenticity? Because bending the truth breaks lives.  It destroys marriages, divides families and distances us from the God of truth.

So what would happen if we became pathologically honest? 

Deeper than break a habit- make a habit. Instead of covering up the truth of who we are and what we believe, we can cover ourselves in an Ephesians wardrobe . . . the belt of truth – it holds up our righteousness.

Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil . . . having girded your loins with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness. . . . Ephesians 4:10-19

https://youtu.be/lDcTvtuuVU8