Speak the Truth

Ephesians 4:25-Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.

We’re living in a time when it’s hard for people to tell the truth. It seems that people have turned to lying even in the simplest of matters. So most definitely, they will lie and not tell the truth on issues of grave importance. But I thank God for the Word that is crystal clear about how we are to conduct ourselves, even when there is a price to be paid.

In the book of Acts, Paul transitions from persecutor to persecuted. From trying to stop others from following after Jesus to leading countless numbers to the Savior. And in every instance, Paul was faithful to the truth.

In chapter 26, Paul stands before King Agrippa and Festus to give an account as to why the Jews want to kill him, to give an account for his life. Paul began his testimony with his life before Jesus, then moved on to tell of his salvation experience, moving on to his life and mission in Christ. As he testifies, he can’t help but speak of the goodness of God and His plan to bring salvation to all of mankind. Festus gets upset and tells Paul he thinks way too highly of himself and that his education has gone to his head! But Paul is not deterred by this man of great stature and what he thinks, and Paul replies:

“I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.

Acts 26:25 NKJV

Paul’s defense of himself was so passionate that King Agrippa told Paul he was almost convinced to become a Christian. That’s the power of truth! It moves people from a place of indifference to a place where they must choose!

Fortunately, most of us do not have to defend ourselves for our faith in a court of law. If we did, I would hate to think how those trials would end. However, throughout our lives, we will encounter situations where telling a lie is easier than telling the truth, and we have to decide whether to lie or tell the truth.

We have all been guilty of not being completely honest about a situation because we don’t want to hurt people’s feelings, like when someone asks if they look nice in an outfit that we don’t particularly like. Or, when they ask us if they are gaining weight, they most definitely are, but they want you to say they look great! I have been wrestling with being too honest sometimes, but I have found that I’d rather apologize for hurting somebody’s feelings than for lying. And I have had to do both!

Paul gave us a recommendation for telling the truth in difficult situations:

Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.

Ephesians 4:25 NKJV

Several years ago, I wrote a blog about lying that is okay, like when the midwives lied about the Hebrew women giving birth quickly or the abolitionists who lied to help runaway slaves. But that was because a higher law was in place, and they chose to obey the word of God over men. But the lying that Paul is talking about in this verse is the kind of lying we do because it’s easier or we want favor with an individual. That is not okay. Even when it makes us uncomfortable.

I read a testimony years ago about a man who worked for a company as a low-level employee. One day, his supervisor approached him to come in for a meeting. During the session, he was offered a supervisory position. However, it came with a catch. They wanted him to look away when they brought in certain items, and if he worked with them, he could have the position and get a bonus. The man really wanted the job because he had a family, and the money was great, but he was troubled about the lying and told them that he would get back to them the next day. Talk about awkward! All night, he wrestled with this decision: make more money and give his family a better life, or lie and dishonor God.

The next day he went to work and was called in to meet with the supervisor. He politely thanked them for thinking of him but said he would pass on the job. At this time, he also understood that his current position was in jeopardy because they could let him go. After all, he knew they weren’t being honest in their business dealings. He said he could not do what they asked, even knowing he could lose his job. At that point, his supervisor looked at him and offered him the supervisor position. He was being tested to see if he would be an honest or dishonest employee. He passed the test. He maintained his integrity and was promoted because he chose truth over lies.

But I admit that I have also seen the opposite. When put in a place where it is awkward or unpopular, to tell the truth, we can lose our jobs, relationships, or status. And those are tough things to sacrifice on the altar of truth. But the word of God, our roadmap for life, tells us that we are to speak truth to one another because we have to do life together. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to keep company with people who will lie about anything!

But there is a catch to speaking the truth. Paul cautioned us to speak the truth in love (verse 15). And that’s the greatest challenge of all. Telling the truth in love. I conversed with a family member who chose to live life opposite of how God created them. They said to me that God loved them just like they were. I agreed with them but shared that it wasn’t God’s plan for their life. They disagreed, believing that He approved of their lifestyle. I countered that with the word of God that states differently. When I recognized neither of us would change our minds that day, I ended the conversation by reminding them that I also loved them. We didn’t have a heated discussion on the matter. I didn’t try to belittle or make them feel like they were the lowest of the low. I just lovingly told them that God had a better plan for their life. I trust God with the results and just keep loving them!

I decided a long time ago to practice speaking the truth over lies. It’s not always comfortable, so sometimes I just choose not to comment. I am probably saying just as much in doing that, but it is what it is. This week I was rechallenged to speak the truth. It wasn’t easy. I didn’t like being put in that position by the individual, but again, I had to make a choice. So I did! I told the truth, and it resulted unfavorably towards that person. I didn’t like that, I tried to avoid it, but ultimately I decided to go with the truth! We may be uncomfortable now, but sometimes that can’t be helped!

Again I find myself writing a blog for my encouragement. Maybe, what a fellow blogger said to me earlier this year is true, I also blog for my personal benefit! I want to be known as someone who will tell the truth about the word of God and live that truth as I am truthful in my relationships. Be encouraged this weekend and speak the truth! Wonderful Jesus!