lying vs. truthfullness: ephesians 4:25

Put off falsehood and speak truthfully! Ephesians 4:25

 

This is what happens when I  don't speak truthfully:

 

Whenever I am dishonest or trim or shade the truth, I am loving myself more than God or others.

 

Trimming the truth is saying less than needs to be said.

 

Dishonesty occurs when we look out for ourselves first.

 

I want your respect or acceptance, so I trim the truth to hide my faults.

 

I want your trust and confidence so I am dishonest about my failings.

 

I find confrontation distasteful so I avoid issues that lead to conflict.

 

There are things I want from you, so I shade the details to my advantage.

 

I do not want the embarrassment of confessing wrong to you so I cast past events in a light that is favorable to me.

 

I do not want you to know that I failed you, so I concoct some acceptable excuse.

 

Truth is the casualty when I love myself more than I love you.

 

War of Words - Paul Tripp p. 231