"An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips." ~ Proverbs 24:26
To be totally honest, I haven't had a kiss on the lips in awhile. But that's ok. I do remember them! LOL Aren't kisses on the lips sweet and soft? If a kiss on the lips is like an honest answer, lies are not sweet and soft!
This just jumped out at me this morning.
Why are people so dishonest?
I absolutely, totally, 100% dislike lies. Of any type.
I would rather you hurt my feelings or make me angry than lie to me.
I have been lied to and hurt so much that this is not a struggle for me. Sometimes, I am probably too honest. I just think it's better to be too honest than to lie.
Is dishonesty something you struggle with?
If you claim to be a Christ follower, there are several things that should not be done anymore. Lying is one of them. Colossians 3 explains in verses 1 - 14, but I only want to share part of it:
5-8 And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That’s a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. It’s because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger. It wasn’t long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. But you know better now, so make sure it’s all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk.
9-11 Don’t lie to one another. You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.
12-14 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it."MSG
Are you clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience? Do you forgive and tell the truth? Do you wear love daily?
The main thing here is this: God does not require us to be perfect. NO ONE is perfect. However, He does want us to be working towards being like Jesus. We do have a new self when we become Christ followers. A lot of times that old self doesn't want to give up or go away. Renewing your mind with God's Word and hanging out with fellow believers is the way for you to put off that old stuff.
I can tell you this, being honest is a lifestyle. You won't get rich doing it. My dad used to own an insulation company. They put insulation in brand new homes, but people would call to ask for an estimate on what they already had. My dad is an honest man. He would go look in their attic and tell them if they honestly had enough. He could have lied to several of those people just to make extra money, but he didn't. He still is not rich to this day, but he can sleep at night knowing that he was honest.
If you are struggling, ask someone for help. Let someone hold you accountable. Not for them to keep a record of your wrongs or tell you that what you are doing is wrong..but for them to guide you to the right way. Think before you say something. Are you trying to impress someone? Are you selfish and trying to get something from someone? Check your motives.
I believe being honest is the only way to live.
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