How does honesty shape trust, relationships & our walk with Christ?

Have you ever been told to "always tell the truth"?

Looking back through our youth, we certainly remember times when we weren't truthful. How about now? Are we truthful with others? How about even to ourselves? Are we honest with our shortcomings, convictions, or challenges? Or do we blindly go on with life, knowing and accepting less than truth?

When we reflect on truth, we immediately think about trust, which we believe is a cornerstone of relationships. When we build trust with others, we gravitate toward each other. We desire to be open and vulnerable, and this inspires truth. 

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place." Ephesians 6:14

Let's be honest; it's not always easy. If you are married, think about times with your wife. If you snuck out for golf or happy hour during the workday while she was busy at home with kids, do you tell her even if she doesn't ask?

In your business partnerships, you entertain other opportunities that directly conflict with your partnership obligations. Do you do what's right for the partnership or focus on your own selfish desires? Your employer assumes you are working from home, but are we really coordinating our fantasy football? Maybe it's being honest with ourselves and Christ about certain sins in our lives. Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, or Pride— any of those ring a bell?

"The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy." Proverbs 12:22

Maybe it's just us, but applying truth isn't always easy. There are times when the truth will be hard for someone to hear. They might get upset at us or disagree. Or, we may feel that the truth will disappoint someone we love. Like us, you can think of a few instances, even right now, when being truthful with someone is difficult.

So, what do we do? Where do we find the truth? Well, we can say for certain that God will always be truthful to us. He gave us the Bible as the source of truth and the Holy Spirit to communicate with us in our thoughts and prayers. When we are uncertain about something, where do we turn? Do we "Google it" or turn to God's word to guide us?

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light to my path." Psalms 119:105

The Bible is clear when you get into it. There is one true way to TRUE LIFE that extends far beyond our short life on this earth. Jesus, through his death on the cross, provided us an opportunity to live in TRUTH through eternity.

"Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14.6

Guys, we have also found that surrounding ourselves with other Godly men makes a big difference (and women, most importantly, our wives for those who are married). Do we have someone with whom we can be truthful? Someone who has our back? Someone who is going to be truthful with us about areas of sin in our lives. Someone to pick us up when we fall?

"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.

Remember last week's Fist Bump when we talked about how cool it would be if we all wore the same uniform around, just like all the Lions jerseys we saw a couple of weeks ago? Guys, we have a great group of men in Seven24. We are there to help pick you up when you fall, and we are counting on you guys to pick us up when we fall. We are all on the same team, gents. We appreciate you guys. It's great to see the consistency in the daily devotion. Have a great week, Gents!