We lie because at the time it seems the quicker thing to do, and because the “half-truths” we’re telling seems harmless enough. So why do we – Christian folk that we are – lie like this? Half-truths? No lives are at stake and no one is in danger our lies don’t save anyone. And children who want to play with Mom or Dad are told “Later” whether there will be time then or not. The waitress asking “How are you?” is given an “I’m fine” whether we are or not. When a telephone solicitor calls we tell him we “can’t talk right now” whether we can or not.
We aren’t faced with life and death dilemmas like that… and yet we still lie. James 3:18, "And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.In Canada, we aren’t confronted with Nazis at our doors demanding to know whether we’re hiding Jews. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace and the God of love and peace will be with you." (ESV) Thinking about your current relationships, what are some practical applications you can make as you pursue soul integrity?Ģ Corinthians 13:11, "Finally, brothers, rejoice. Is the Lord moving you towards real honesty, real peacemaking or a combination today? Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who gives me the wisdom to move beyond my reactions. It makes us true peacemakers-people who aren't proving or pretending but rather honestly demonstrating what they are experiencing in a godly manner.Īnd being a true peacemaker reaps a harvest of great qualities in our lives: right things, godly things, healthy things.ĭear Lord, through You I am able to bring all my exploding and stuffing under Your authority and truth. This soul integrity brings balance to unglued reactions. Yes, we're after soul integrity-honesty that is also peacemaking that leads to godliness. The minute we divorce one from the other, we stray from soul integrity and give a foothold to the instability that inevitably leads to coming unglued. Truth and godliness always walk hand-in-hand. It may seem godly in the moment, but it's false godliness. But it's also dishonest when we don't say things that are true. Sometimes dishonesty comes in the form of saying things that aren't true. Saying "I'm fine" to keep the peace, when we're really not fine, isn't honest. Either it will erode our health and later present itself in a host of emotional and physical anxiety-induced illnesses, or it will accumulate over time and surprise everyone when the peacemaker eventually erupts. But when we do this at the expense of honesty, we harbor a corrosive bitterness that will eventually emerge. The upside to stuffing is that we have the semblance of peacemakers. That's what we do when we stuff and pretend everything is okay. It must grieve God to see plastic versions of peacemaking that aren't reined in by honesty. Ultimately my goal should be to add peacemaking to my honesty. I need to ask questions of them with the desire to better understand instead of throwing out statements of accusation. I need to see things from the other person's perspective. So, if I want real honesty, I have to ask the Holy Spirit to show me real truth. That's why we need peacemaking honesty-honesty reined in by the Holy Spirit-if we're going to have authentic soul integrity. I can feel justified in being blatant about my feelings-not hiding a thing-and prideful for being so real, all under the guise of being honest enough not to stuff.īut in reality, honesty that isn't true isn't honesty at all.
I can be honest with how I feel and still exaggerate or misinterpret what is factually true. You see, my honest feelings may not be truthful assessments of the situation. Not all honest expressions of my feelings are real honesty. I must remember I need real honesty combined with real peacemaking. I want to be honest and peacemaking at the same time. " Yes, I want this kind of wisdom-this soul integrity. James 3:17 says, "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure (honest) then peace-loving. The godly way is approaching this situation with soul integrity-responding in a way that's honest but also peacemaking. If ever I catch myself pretending or proving, I know I'm processing my hurt the wrong way. If someone says something or does something that hurts me, what is the godly response? Is it to pretend like everything is fine so I can keep the peace? Or is it confronting the person to prove how wrong they are?
Matthew west im fine full#
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." James 3:17 (NIV) The godly way to deal with hurt is by approaching the situation with soul integrity-responding in a way that's honest but also peacemaking.
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