HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div
2. Share the truth completely.
Lying is when you intentionally mislead others by either falsifying or concealing information. If you deliberately hold back part of the truth, you’re lying. Half the truth is a whole lie. To be a person of integrity, you don’t play games with the truth.
Proverbs 10:10 says, “Someone who holds back the truth causes trouble, but one who openly criticizes works for peace” (GNT).
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall. (KJV)
Pastors, Teachers, Bishops, Deaconess, Mothers and Superior Mothers, there are many ways we can hold back the truth.
Sometimes we need to have hard yet honest conversations in our families and in our churches. If we shrink from these conversations, we can’t call ourselves people of integrity.
Sometimes you may be tempted to hold the truth back because you want to be kind. But from 1974 when I took my first step with Jesus after 10+ years of leadership, I’ve learned this always backfires. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 28:23, “In the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery” (TLB).
He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. (KJV)
Truth often hurts, but dishonesty leaves lasting scars.
TO BE CONTINUED ……
