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| To Tell The Truth |
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Can someone explain to me what is so dadburned difficult about simply being honest? I have reached my limit of people telling me they have done something only to find they have not. Especially when the information they give me results in me making commitments and answering questions in ways I know now are dishonest. Right now I am livid, but moving from that into severe disappointment. I'm sure I'll get to forgiveness eventually.
We all want to be seen in our best light. But "fudging" the truth or telling "little white lies" to make ourselves look better in the short term severely damages our testimony in the long term. Not only does it damage our personal testimony, it damages the credibility of the Christian community to non-Christians. Whether we like it or not, the lost world is watching. We all mess up occasionally (Romans 3:23), but our goal should be to avoid that at all costs. When we allow sinful behavior -such as lying- to become habitual is where we not only hurt ourselves but potentially others who are watching us.
If we don't look different than anyone else in the world, why does the world need Christ? Why should they voluntarily place themselves under the authority of some unseen being if it won't bring them some positive change in their life? If Christians are guilty of the same garbage as the rest of the world, trapped by the same sins as the rest of the world, damaging their reputations and their families just like the rest of the world, then what's the difference?
I see the world's point.
It is for FREEDOM that Christ has set us free!!! We have the potential to be free from the consequences of sinful behavior because we were given the supernatural ability to flee from that sinful behavior in the first place (James 4:7). We have the potential to bring healing to our families (Eph. 5:21-28, Psalm 68:6). We have the potential to encourage others to enjoy the same freedoms (Matthew 28:19). Why do we squander our freedom in Christ for short term comforts??
Rant over. For now.
But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. - James 5:12 |
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| September 29, 2007 |
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Soozanne, you know, I struggle with this as well...almost every day. I run a fairly fast paced business and I hold people accountable for earning their checks. When they lie to me, I make a note. The first time I will challenge the lie in private. If they correct it, I leave it alone. The second time, I challenge the lie in public. The third time I will flat out tell them they are lying and they better start looking for another job. I figure if they will lie to me, they will lie to our customers. I can't have that.
All that said, it is part of our human nature as well as part of our culture. We are taught not to really tell people what we think because it is better to lie a little than to hurt their feelings. I think we teach people incorrectly. I think we should teach people ways to tell the truth in love. That is much harder.
Now look what you did...you got me to ranting, too. Yeah, that is one of my buttons. ;^) |
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| September 29, 2007 |
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| I went through a period in my life where lying was second nature. Thank God that He saved me! Once you start lying, they seem to come more easily with each new lie that is told. I can honestly say now that I never lie. I make it a point to go out of my way to be honest. I want to live my life for Jesus, and lying isn't a part of the picture. Good post, and I hope you are moving toward forgiveness now. |
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| September 29, 2007 |
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Thanks, Voice and Deb. It's nice to know others have the same hot buttons I do! ;-)
Yup, I've made it to forgivenes But now the blinders are off. Meek as sheep, shrewd as serpents (or something like that ), right? I'll love 'em with both eyes open. Hopefully, they'll do the same with me. I have shortcomings, too. I am so grateful for grace.
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| September 29, 2007 |
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| Amen on the grace!! |
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