Whatever Is True

After days of rose petals torn from a silk flower, pearls, Swarovski crystals, netting and satin stripped from a hair accessory, ribbon, feathers, tiny seashells and charms strewn around my office, I finally sat down the other afternoon and tried to make a belt for Ayla's wedding dress. Now she's already had one donated to use that's blinged out, but while at the bridal store, Ayla tried on a different belt that was intriguing. She wasn't sold on it, but I thought it might be fun to try to personalize one for her. So I looked for coral and sparkly elements to try to make one. And viola ... it's complete. I had so much fun making it, I may make another more of the sparkly variety. We'll see.

Whether or not she uses it makes no difference to me. It was so fun to do! Personally, there is only one belt that I want Ayla to wear ... and Rob, Tone and Kayla for that matter. That's the belt talked about in Ephesians 6:14 as part of the full armor of God ... the belt of truth. See we live in a world where truthfulness is glossed over, inflated or eliminated. Far better to tell people what they want to hear than the truth. Far better to exaggerate your story than tell the truthful one that may not have as much impact. Far better to outright lie than admit the truth. But see, when folks start going that direction, it just leads to more and more untruths. God saw such importance in truth telling that He made it one of the Ten Commandment. "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:16) Psalm 10:7 tells us it is the wicked man whose mouth is "full of lies." 34:13 says, "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies." In John 8:44 Jesus warns about lies saying, "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." No one wants to claim to be his son. Colossians 3:9 says, "Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices."

This means you don't even tell those "little white lies." We heard a TV series character call them "sugar lies" saying they were meant to make someone feel better. Psychology Today says, "Sometimes it's wise to fib just a little. Telling the whole truth to a person who isn't prepared for it can destroy the trust and good will between people. White lies often come from a sense of compassion, not a desire to deceive." But Scripture doesn't give allowances for "fibbing." A lie is a lie. 

You will find truthfulness is so important in a marriage. You need to be open with one another and tell the truth. Anything less will certainly destroy trust between you. So be honest. Stand firm and put on the belt of truth.

Discussion: Do you think it's okay to tell little white lies? Why is truthfulness important to you?

Prayer: Lord, you have told us to be honest and for us to think about what is true (Phil. 4:8). We will have more credibility, integrity and more trust placed in us if we are honorable enough to be truthful. May we be obedient to Your word. In Jesus, Amen.