Speaking The Truth

Proverbs 15:22-23

Everybody needs somebody, sometimes. Mary expects the truth to be spoken to her by all within her intimate circle of friends. She would love to have everyone in the world tell her the truth with each message, at least messages to her. However, she is old enough to know that even her dearest friends may not always speak the truth. At issue is her emotional strength, and her own consistent voice in speaking the truth.

People tend to be guarded. They guard their emotions, and try to protect the emotions of their friends, especially those with whom they share love. Mary is like many persons in the world, who want the truth, but crumble in it. Things go wrong, when we crumble. With every lie uncovered more truth is needed. It is not the truth of the matter of the lie that will heal and cure the issues caused by the original untruth. No. What is needed in the uncovering of a lie is the emotional truth and mental unveiling of thoughts in the moment of discovery. How do you feel? What do you think? When and how are you going to respond? Truth cannot be gained from evidence of the past, no matter how many facts are given. Historical facts are like drapers on a baby, they may be changed to clean up the necessary. The importance of truth is in the currency of the moment. Where do we stand on this matter now? Truth is to be found in the actuality of honesty bathed in righteousness on the spot of reality lived before us.

This is not to say facts are to be ignored. It is to say that we can never be assured of facts we have not personally lived. We live the facts we are making. We walk by faith in revealed facts others have lived. Facts are always left to interpretation. The current moment requires speaking the truth, so that each moment of living carries with it the essentials of living in the times we are living. Mary wants the truth, but Mary in the moments of time, too often holds the truth within and speaks in silence what needs to be spoken in verbal voice. Mary is you, and very much resembles the me in female form.

We hold on to our feelings and thoughts often to prevent hurt and pain. We appear to others to be passive, when we are actually loading our guns for an aggressive attack. There are ways to prevent the onslaught of war. One way is through the intelligent means of education. Another is what former President of the United States-George W. Bush called "The Intelligent Design." Whatever will get you there, take the leap of faith, and come to appreciate assertiveness over passive aggressiveness or aggression.

The founder of the lay caring-giving ministry named Stephen Ministries wrote a book titled - "Speaking the Truth in Love." In his book, he elaborates on assertiveness, and the need to be trained in the use of "speaking the truth in love." Christians are encouraged to follow the teachings of Christ, which has to do with doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. Mary wanting the truth spoken to her, must be willing to not only speak the truth to others, but she has to be able to handle the truth spoken with the same love she desires to impart. There is the matter at heart. Can we be honest with each other with sacrificial love? Sacrifice our need for facts, and accept our need for honest relationships in the here and now.

Facts are needed for courtroom lawsuits. Love is need for faithful relationships. May we receive the wisdom of counsel that enables us to speak truth without harm to others or ourselves. May we have the serenity and courage necessary to accept the unchangeable and ability to change the changeable. The rule of thumb is to speak what is helpful, and flush the harmful. Speaking the truth, be it Mary or Luonne, requires love, in order to be Christian.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, help us to care for one another with love. Amen.