1 Peter 3:10-11 NLT<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The part about keeping your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies resonates deeply with me. If there is one principle I strive to live by, it is being truthful. I\u2019ve always struggled with the thought of telling a lie\u2014it\u2019s just not who I am. I am intentional and aware of what I say to people. I would rather tell you the truth and risk you disliking me than lie to make you comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am not the kind of person who would rather say something harsh or hurtful just because I\u2019m speaking the truth. There are people who are ruthless in how they share the truth, but what they lack is wisdom. The Bible teaches us in Ephesians 4:29, \u201cLet everything you say be good and helpful so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.\u201d Speaking the truth requires wisdom. If you don\u2019t have a kind or honourable way to correct someone, it\u2019s often better to remain quiet. That\u2019s my principle: if I can\u2019t express the truth in a way that builds someone up or conveys my message with grace, I\u2019d rather stay silent than tell a lie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have a cousin who speaks the truth without wisdom. She will say the most painful things, completely shattering someone, and then justify it with \u201cBora nimekwambia ukweli\u201d (at least I told you the truth). I do not subscribe to that school of thought. Truth without grace is destructive. I wanted to make this clear before continuing because my belief in truth isn\u2019t about being cruel or insensitive; it\u2019s about aligning with God\u2019s Word and sharing the truth in a way that honours Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recently, I was talking to a friend about how difficult I find it to relate to people who aren\u2019t genuine. When someone twists facts to gain an advantage, I find it unsettling. I believe in openness and transparency, even in relationships. I remember being advised in the past that in relationships, it\u2019s better not to be too honest. That advice didn\u2019t sit well with me. I chose to be completely honest about my life, even when it cost me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the difference between the word of God and the world\u2019s wisdom. The world says, \u201cHide the truth to protect yourself.\u201d But God\u2019s Word tells us, \u201cKeep your lips from telling lies.\u201d And that is what I will always strive to do. I would rather lose friendships than compromise my integrity. Why would God bless me with friendships that require me to go against His Word?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you know how hard it is to maintain a lie? It\u2019s exhausting. You have to remember the lie you told previously so your current actions align. You\u2019re constantly calculating and thinking about what to say next because you can\u2019t speak freely. It\u2019s mentally draining. I pity people who live in this cycle\u2014always working to uphold their lies. But when you speak the truth, it sets you free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The truth you speak today is absolute. A hundred years from now, it will still be the truth. You\u2019ll never tire yourself trying to remember past stories to keep up appearances. Jesus said, \u201cThe truth will set you free.\u201d Living in truth is so liberating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve experienced this freedom even in one of the most challenging areas of my life\u2014my separation. I\u2019ve never told my dad or extended family about it, but if they were to ask, I wouldn\u2019t lie. Initially, I described everything in detail to those around me. It was hours of honesty, reliving every moment from the past five years leading to my decision to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But after going through the Divorce Care class at Nairobi Chapel, I learned the power of summarising the truth without diminishing it. If someone asks now, I simply say, \u201cWe separated.\u201d Full stop. It\u2019s not a lie or half-truth; it\u2019s the whole truth. If anyone asks for details, I summarise further: \u201cAbuse.\u201d That\u2019s it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Living honestly may not always be easy, but it\u2019s freeing. It aligns with God\u2019s Word, which sets us apart from the world. Let us speak the truth in love, with wisdom and boundaries, and trust God with the consequences. When we live in truth, we live in freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have a beautiful day. \ud83d\udda4 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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