s20070722m_TELLING THE TRUTH

TELLING THE TRUTH

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. Exodus 20:16

THE REAL PROBLEM

34…For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. Matthew 12:34-35

WHY DO I LIE?

Motive                                                        Type

·         I Lie To [SEEK REVENGE]                                  The Cruel Lie.

·         I Lie To [ESCAPE CONSEQUENCES]                           The Cowardly Lie.

·         I Lie To [IMPRESS]                                            The Conceited Lie.    

·         I Lie To [MANIPULATE]                                              The Calculated Lie.  

·         I Lie To [AVOID A COMMITMENT]                    The Convenient Lie.

THE BENEFITS OF TELLING THE TRUTH

11Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. 14Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalms 34:12-13

HOW I SHOULD TELL THE TRUTH

1.  I SHOULD TELL THE TRUTH [CONSISTENTLY AND COMPLETELY]

3The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. 4Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. 5The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. Proverbs 11:3-5

17A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies. 18Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Proverbs 12:17-19

2.  I SHOULD TELL THE TRUTH [LOVINGLY AND WITH PURPOSE]

15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15

29Do 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

            3. I SHOULD TELL THE TRUTH [TACTFULLY SHOWING RESPECT]

5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:5-6

15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15