But if you look for truthfulness

You Might as well be blind

It always seems to be so hard to give

Honesty is such a lonely word

Everyone is so untrue

Honesty is hardly ever heard

And mostly what I need from you

 

Words recorded by Billy Joel in 1978 –yet even more applicable today.  Beginning with the premise that truth is harder to find than love, Joel penned these words expressing that having love does not necessarily mean you have truth.  Originally titled, ‘Home Again,’ he felt the title didn’t fit the message and retitled ‘Honesty’ instead.

Though the haunting melody and catchy lyrics entertain, I find a deeper message here.  (Not that Billy Joel had this message in mind.)

Our world today is in desperate need of truth, but few of us are willing to honestly share the truth we know.

But first, we must understand there is a very big difference between honesty and truth.

According to a prominent attorney in a Forbes magazine article, “…being honest means not telling lies.  Being truthful means actively making known all the full truth of a matter. Lawyers must be honest, but they do not have to truthful.”  (March 6, 2016)

Sadly, it seems many Christians feel this way in the world today.  We pat ourselves for not telling lies- yet fail miserably at actively making known the full TRUTH.

If we have accepted Jesus Christ, we have the only Truth.

Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.  John 14:6

So what is the truth?

Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. John 17:17

Everything from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 is truth.

Period.

The truth does not change, it does not adapt to the culture, nor bend for the approval of the masses, it does not change with passing trends, and it will not be watered down to excuse our constant abuse of it.

Now we certainly don’t mind being honest.  And we might even share a little truth if we are asked. But we genuinely struggle to actively make it known, like we are called to do.

Our blind world longs for truth but they are receiving something that only sounds good.

 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 2 Tim. 4:3  

And there are so many willing to tell them exactly what they want to hear and okay their lifestyles and habitual sins.

And those of us that know the Truth stand by on the sidelines watching the game too afraid to go in and get tackled.

Because if we are on the field, we will get tackled.

It’s inevitable.

But we are needed in the game.

The world needs those of us who love Jesus and who know truth to actively tell them those things.

We possess the playbook.

Our playbook has the winning play.

It’s game time.

Consider

• Read Ephesians 4: 17-31.
  • There are 7 commonalities between this passage and James 1: 19 – 21. What are they?

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• The word religion is used 5 times in the New Testament. Read the following verses:
  • James 1: 26-27
  • Acts 26:5
  • Col. 2:18 (translated worshipping)
    • How are you specifically practicing God’s Word and sharing it with others? Specifically consider your speech, service, and separation from the world.

 

Feeling ambitious?

• Read Matthew 13: 1-9 and 18-23
  • What are the four kinds of hearts?
    • Describe each one in your own words.
  • Which of these best describes your heart right now? Why?
    • Search for scriptures to pray about the condition of your heart.