So, you want me to be honest.
Truly? In everything?
Like … about the color of your new living room curtains? And the way you keep your lawn?
Or the turkey you prepared last Christmas, the one that was slightly burnt? (A partial lie. It was really burnt and tasted like it.)
How honest do you want me to be? I thought kindness, politeness, and all that stuff was the required oil to keep relationships running smoothly.
And don’t get me off on positive thinking. I’m supposed to say this will be my best day ever when I’ve already broken a shoelace and locked my keys in the car? And I haven’t even clocked in at work?
Let’s look at three scriptures on honesty to see what the Bible says.
Scripture No. 1:
Leviticus 19:12 says it’s not about politeness. Honesty is about standing up for the truth.
“You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.”
What we can’t do is tell someone, “I promise, God’s honest truth,” when we know differently.
Scripture No. 2:
Proverbs 14:5 says we must support honest dealing with other people.
“A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.”
What we can’t do is tell a false version of events for any reason, not even if we feel it’s justified.
Scripture No. 3:
James 3:14 says we must be honest about ourselves.
“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.”
What we can’t do is present ourselves as better than we are. No Photoshopping allowed. We must be as we appear to be.
So, go ahead. Be polite. Say the nice things. God certainly expects honesty, but we are to show kindness in everything we say. Jesus could cut to the chase, but he spoke with the heart of his Father in every word.
We’re most like Jesus when we live his truth before the world.
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