A Revolutionary Act!

Yesterday my wife and I ate lunch at a small local restaurant which had bumper stickers and other notices covering a wall. As we ate we enjoyed sharing with each other ones that were catching our attention. Among them was one stating, “In A Time Of Universal Deceit, Telling The Truth Is A Revolutionary Act.”

Truth! HONESTY! A revolutionary act? I have had opportunity to witness when honesty actually seemed to take people by surprise. In some circles of society HONESTY doesn’t even seem to be expected. It is a very sad commentary on any society when telling the truth actually catches the attention as if it were something unusual.

Note a sad statement regarding God’s people during the days of Jeremiah.
“(4) Let everyone beware of his neighbor, and put no trust in any brother, for EVERY BROTHER IS A DECEIVER, and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. (5) EVERYONE DECEIVES HIS NEIGHBOR, and NO ONE SPEAKS THE TRUTH; THEY HAVE TAUGHT THEIR TONGUE TO SPEAK LIES; they weary themselves committing iniquity. (6) Heaping oppression upon oppression, and DECEIT UPON DECEIT, they refuse to know me, declares the LORD.” ( Jeremiah 9:4-6 ESV)

Deceivers! No one speaking the truth! Described as having taught the tongue to lie! All of this was capped off by a reference noting the refusal to know God. How could they really know the God of truth when involved in so much deception?

In writing to the church at Ephesus, Paul noted a transition and urged. . .
“Therefore, HAVING PUT AWAY FALSEHOOD, let each one of you SPEAK THE TRUTH WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members one of another.” ( Ephesians 4:25 ESV)

Lack of HONESTY destroys relationships. How can one know what to expect when deception has been the norm? Recognizing the importance of our relationship with God and with one another ought to encourage us toward HONESTY in all things. Once that reputation is lost it is often difficult for the trust to be regained.

Words of wisdom shared by Solomon note the approach we ought to wisely take.

“(6) Hear, for I will speak noble things, and FROM MY LIPS WILL COME WHAT IS RIGHT, (7) for MY MOUTH WILL UTTER TRUTH; WICKEDNESS IS AN ABOMINATION TO MY LIPS.” ( Proverbs 8:6-7 ESV)

Let us not minimize either the importance of HONESTY in all things nor the impact it can have on those around us. May others come to know HONESTY is what they can always expect from us. In this way we will reflect the essence of God and be the people others will know our word can always be depended upon.

Have a great day BEING A REVOLUTIONARY FOR TRUTH!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Honesty