I can embrace the wisdom of the first directive--(1) so stand strong with the belt of truth tied around your waist.
Truth has been import to me from a very early age because I figured out I am just not smart enough to tell a lie and keep up with it. And as time went on I understood that if a relationship does not have truth it will never be a stable one. As humans we "tweak" the truth for many reasons that we justify as "not wanting to hurt feelings" or "not wanting to tell more than another can bear" but it is really just cowardice. If you feel the information should not be shared, do not do so. There is a big difference between choosing to not discuss something or choosing how much to share versus telling a lie.If the person asking has a legitimate right to know and you just don't want to be responsible for your own actions, suck it up. Once you lie, the relationship is sitting on a cracked foundation. How will I ever know when I can trust you?
In the world it can seem that a lie is the easiest way out of a sticky situation, but even in the world one lie leads to more lies and it takes a lot of energy to remember what I told to whom. Not worth the energy and never works in the long-run.
So I believe there are three issues related to the need for truth about all things: (1) I will not tell lies to you, about you or for you AND (2) I promise not to demand information from you or throw a fit and act like a jerk when you tell me things that are true but unpleasant, AND (3) I will not use this as an excuse to blast you with criticism while calling it "just telling the truth."
Good questions to ponder before discussing the hard stuff is this: Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it necessary? Is it kind? Does it help build the relationship that God wants me to have with this person?
But under no circumstances lie to any one at any time. And if someone demands you speak, seek the help of a mature Christian or qualified professional before continuing the conversation.
Really, committing to the truth can be difficult at first, but is always easier in the long run. Again, God's instructions are worthy of our trust.
* Ephesians 6:10-18
Truth has been import to me from a very early age because I figured out I am just not smart enough to tell a lie and keep up with it. And as time went on I understood that if a relationship does not have truth it will never be a stable one. As humans we "tweak" the truth for many reasons that we justify as "not wanting to hurt feelings" or "not wanting to tell more than another can bear" but it is really just cowardice. If you feel the information should not be shared, do not do so. There is a big difference between choosing to not discuss something or choosing how much to share versus telling a lie.If the person asking has a legitimate right to know and you just don't want to be responsible for your own actions, suck it up. Once you lie, the relationship is sitting on a cracked foundation. How will I ever know when I can trust you?
In the world it can seem that a lie is the easiest way out of a sticky situation, but even in the world one lie leads to more lies and it takes a lot of energy to remember what I told to whom. Not worth the energy and never works in the long-run.
So I believe there are three issues related to the need for truth about all things: (1) I will not tell lies to you, about you or for you AND (2) I promise not to demand information from you or throw a fit and act like a jerk when you tell me things that are true but unpleasant, AND (3) I will not use this as an excuse to blast you with criticism while calling it "just telling the truth."
Good questions to ponder before discussing the hard stuff is this: Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it necessary? Is it kind? Does it help build the relationship that God wants me to have with this person?
But under no circumstances lie to any one at any time. And if someone demands you speak, seek the help of a mature Christian or qualified professional before continuing the conversation.
Really, committing to the truth can be difficult at first, but is always easier in the long run. Again, God's instructions are worthy of our trust.
* Ephesians 6:10-18
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