We are in good hands with Christ the Lord in our lives. He gives us over to being honest and loving to everyone around us. Where we are incapable of, He comes in and does the rest. Here is an example. When called out about something about someone or yourself, you don’t lie but instead tell the truth. Even if it means losing a friend, family, or spouse’s trust or even losing a job, we aren’t afraid of sharing what is true. We know the consequences can be severe but it is better to have a clear conscience then a weighty and shameful conscience later. Here is the appositive effect of somebody that lies. Solomon said, 1“a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.” Though they may have saved their face and their dignity with man, for a time, however, they have lost all trust with God. Their character is severely tarnished in the eyes of the Lord. And overtime, although that person may try to cover up the truth, some way or another the truth of the matter will come out. And sometimes in a way that it is blown out of proportion, more than the person even expected. This type of person cannot be trusted, unless they repent and come clean with men and God. Solomon spoke about this kind of person, when he said, 1“confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.” So why choose to lie and deceive? Doing this will only make matters worse. Therefore, repent and allow the Lord to help you change your life and become honest in every way possible.
Along with honesty in a Christian’s life, comes love and forgiveness. We are incapable of loving as Christ does, but with Him in our lives, we gain the true capacity to love one another as He does. While trusting in our own self can seem good for a season, it only leads to stumbling along the way. When faced with being honest or loving others, that same person often comes up short. They can try to be better but unless the Lord God is in their lives, their will only be struggles. It is the Holy Spirit that leads a person on the righteous path. This is a path that entails doing what God would have us do in all circumstances. These things can mean being honest, loving and forgiving, as God is for us. So when a person comes to you for help, you show compassion to them, no questions asked. Any walls that have been up, have been torn down and forgiveness is on display. Even when our enemies are round about us, we come and pray for them. We only want the best for anyone, even for those that don’t treat us kindly. Therefore, we bless them and pray for them. Jesus said to 2“bless them that curse you” and to 2“love ye your enemies.” Solomon even told of an example of showcasing love to those that are hostile towards us. He said 1“if thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.” This may seem difficult, as it is without Christ in our lives. However, it is God’s will to treat everyone with kindness and abiding in Him will have us do such things.
Let us pray:
Lord, I know that only You can bring us to be honest, loving and forgiving people. We can try all we want to do these things on our own but we will always come up short. Our own goodness may seem right but without You, there is no substitute. I know this Lord, for I tried to do the same things for way to many years in my life. And in this, my own great ideas always came with consequences and shame. And now, my mind has now been opened as to why. Without You, there is only darkness. I was lost in my own way of living and thinking. Then, when I came to You in prayer, my eyes were opened. Where I could not be honest and often find myself in hard times, there was a new confidence that You put inside of me. And this change of mind also added honesty. Because You are my confidence, now I only want to be truthful, no matter the consequence. Because I have found grace in Your eyes, it doesn’t matter what other people think. Even when people are hurtful, You help me show love to them. There are no more walls but forgiveness. As You have shown me mercy and forgiveness I am able to show the same to people in my life. Thank You for instilling these characteristics of honesty, love and forgiveness. I am so grateful. I love You Lord. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Proverbs 25 (KJV)
1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.
23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
2Luke 6:26-38 (KJV)
26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
