Quite often we have heard that honesty is the best policy. In grade school we are taught about "Honest Abe" and, if we have the wonderful fortune of learning about Jesus Christ, we then learn about how important it is to live a life of integrity. If I had a dime for every time someone spouted John 8:32 which states, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free," I would be a rich woman. However, as I heard Joyce Meyer say at one of her conferences recently, most people forget to examine the scripture before that famed verse. John 8:31 reads, "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.'" We have to not only understand the importance of telling the truth but, in order to do so consistently, we must hold onto the teachings of Jesus Christ.
I have always considered myself a pretty honest person. I have been keen on living a life of integrity and honesty as to adhere to the principles of Jesus Christ. In this life, we can get so caught up in what we want our lives to be that we become oblivious to what our reality truly is. Truthfully, I was not honest when it mattered the most. I failed to be honest with myself in so many ways.
In previous blogs, I briefly mentioned my feelings about trying to be perfect. My personal struggle with perfection kept me from being honest with myself about my areas of weakness. Simultaneously, I began to bolster attitudes of pride and placed my self esteem on a stream of false expectations. It is true that when we give the enemy an inch, he takes a lofty mile.
After while, it became extremely difficult for people to give me constructive criticism. I did not want to hear anything from anyone about my weak spots. I called myself focusing on the positive but in reality, I was consumed with the fear of realizing the truth. My comfy world of perfection that I had manipulated to create would come crashing down. True perfection rests in God. It is only then that we will experience perfection on any level.
Be honest with yourself. If you are always right and no one can tell you anything, I urge you to think again. Proverbs 15:31-32 reads, "If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding." Theoretically, this is not a hard concept to grasp. However, when you walk in pride it is increasingly difficult to accept about yourself. You allow yourself to get away with what seems to be little and small untruths because of the misconception that you are right in every other way. In order to truly grow, we must be real with ourselves.
I had to ask myself some really tough questions. Why did I lie to myself? Why did I tell small white lies to other people? These weren't monumental lies, but stupid lies. Things that I could easily be honest about but felt the need or compulsion to paint a different story. For example, someone asks you if you watched a particular movie and you reply with a confident yes. However in your heart you know that you have never seen that movie and really don't know what it's about. Or, your spouse or loved one asks if you completed a certain task and you say yes knowing that you are yet to finish the task. These lies seem so minuscule and small but truly are a reflection of an internal issue within you.
Usually, the way we treat other people is a reflection of the way we perceive or treat ourselves. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I found that my little white lies are a result of my desire to assume control. If you find yourself lying constantly, take a moment to look at what you are trying to control. What image are you trying to uphold before yourself and people? You don't have to be perfect and you are not stuck hiding behind lies. The beauty of God's love is that no matter who you think you are or where you come from, God loves you any way. You don't have to appear perfect, or present a clean track record. God bears witness to all things. Proverbs 13:11 reads, "Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the Lord. How much more does he know the human heart!"
Be set free from untruth. It is when we are real with ourselves and allow people to see our flaws that we can be used mightily by God. There is nothing you cannot conquer. You don't have to continue down a path of deception. God is always with you and is all the strength you need. Isaiah 58:11 reads, "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
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