Speak Truth

Not sure if all are in the habit of doing so, but speaking truth is the best policy.

“¹⁷Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. ¹⁸There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. ¹⁹Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” – Proverbs 12:17-19 (ESV)

There is power in the truth. As noted in verses 18 and 19 above it “brings healing” and “endure forever”. These ideas make it worthwhile for me. Speaking the truth is the way to transparency and growth.

In the healing arena, I like to think of the truth in this way. Without the pain, there is little to no gain. When a doctor is tasked with fixing a broken leg, he must first set or in some cases re-break the leg to begin the healing process. This is not a pleasant experience for the one with the broken leg in the first place. There is more pain to endure. On the other side though is a leg healed more properly or at least in the best way to bring about a fruitful life going forward. The truth is the same. It may be painful to hear and realize the truth. And even in giving the truth, there may be some backlash and disconnection as a result of the hard being given and received. On the other side, there is healing and growth that occurs from not having to deal with what might be detrimental.

On the endurance side of things, speaking the truth keeps me in a position of not having anything to hide. I do not have to explain away things or justify actions taken. I am able to speak the truth and be comfortable and without concern for trying to make up for something that I may be called on later. Similar to the healing part though, there may be consequences to speaking the truth. It may not be what others want to hear and that will lead to discord. But, it is worth it on my end to have others know what they are getting from me is not just what they want to hear.

I believe, as I am reminded in the verses above that the truth will bring about healing and will endure forever. It is my work here in the world to do the work of God and part of that work is to bring the truth to this world. As we are reminded in the following verse, Jesus is truth.

“⁶Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” – John 14:6 (ESV)

When in the world and interacting with others, what is your propensity to speak the truth? Do you find yourself holding back to save from creating discord? What if you were to speak the truth to “bring healing” and allow for to “endure forever”?