Honesty Is the Best Policy - Part 2

Honesty truly is the best policy with God, and with others.  Oftentimes, we shy away from telling the truth because we are afraid of how the other person may react or, for that matter, they may even disagree with us and begin arguing with us!  That is called the fear of man and that brings a snare or stronghold in our life. 'Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.' (Proverbs 29:25 NIV)  I find myself being so consumed with wanting everyone to like me (an approval addict) that I question whether my loyalty is completely given over to Christ as His servant alone to use for His glory and not mine.  'For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.' (Galatians 1:10 NASB). I do seek to be His servant and His servant ALONE!

Conflict inevitably comes within our natural families and in the supernatural family of God.  Do we allow it to lie dormant and fester like an open wound, or do we seek to bring healing through open, honest, direct, and loving communication?  I am reminded of the verse that points out how healing often begins, 'Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.' (James 5:16 NASB)  Here is some great 'one anothering' that brings about healthy relationships - prayer and confession!  They go hand in hand when it comes to having relationships with others that honor the Lord.

Of course, we definitely need a large dose of God's wisdom, grace, love, and timing when we talk to others about things that may be controversial or point out incongruencies in others' lives for the purpose of  health in God's Kingdom and in His people.  I can think of several scriptures that can guide us before we begin flapping our jaws:
- 'Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,' (Ephesians 4:15 ESV)
-“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." (Matthew 7:1-5 NIV)
- 'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.' (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)

May our goal always be to have open, honest and healthy relationships with God and others in order to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  'As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.' (Ephesians 4:1-6, NIV)