Nougat 13

Hi

You know sometimes we get caught in situations where it’s not easy to stick to the truth. Today’s Holy Nougat offers a way out.

“Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.” Matthew‬ ‭5:37‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The irony is, we have been socialized to hedge truth, disremember facts or use white lies; while expecting total honesty from others in our interpersonal relationships. I’m not entirely sure how it works; but that is how most of us are wired socially.

What Jesus asks from us is the opposite to society’s teachings. He contends that truth is the only way to be. That is not always comfortable or easy. For even the most honest amongst us; may find that although integrity is desired; it is not as easy to maintain in personal and professional settings where the truth could hurt someone, cost a job or give way to social ostracism.

So what to do when telling the truth comes at a great cost?

I propose that we recognize that lying or evasion is not God’s choice for us. It’s sin, no matter how sugarcoated. We can also ask God for a way out, recognizing that that’s not necessarily going to be uneventful. For, contrary to some popular teachings; God allows our experiences to teach or strengthen us. Even the negative ones. What we learn from them is our choice.

And, we also look at the opportunity cost of being caught in a lie. Sometimes we are not given second chances to restore our reputations. More critically, we recognize that giving a toehold to the devil through half truths can lead to extreme spiritual decay.

So let’s keep it simple; avoiding situations where we are called to compromise our integrity when we can, offering our thought and speech life to God, Who will take us through.

I pray that our choice will be for direct truth, despite the challenges it often presents.

In Christ’s love and grace . . .