Truth

How many times in our lives and in our marriage have we put on a happy face, even when happy was the last emotion we were feeling? Yes, there’s a time and place to fake it until you make it, but do we ever allow ourselves the time to just be honest about what’s going on? Many times Christians believe that if we have hope in God, the only emotion we should feel is joy. Yes, you should always keep that in the back of your mind and remain hopeful but even God has negative emotions. Many times being truthful with our spouse means opening up about things we know are going to be difficult. But why does God want us to speak the truth even when the outcome might be painful? Because that’s how we look most like Jesus. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6. Do you remember when Jesus was put on trial before Pilot and they had a conversation about truth? “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” What is truth?” retorted Pilate. John 18:37-38.

Being truthful with your spouse can be incredibly difficult, especially when you are addressing a sin issue. Whether it’s your issues or his, truth needs to come from a place of love. It doesn’t come from when you have had enough and just blurt out the truth in a judging and angry place. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:3-5. Love keeps no record of wrongs, I don’t know about you but that is a really hard one for me. Sometimes the sins that have been done to you still hurt and it feels like they take forever to get over. Then there can be those times when being truthful with your spouse is not appreciated. There will come a time when the truth, no matter how loving is hurtful because it is exposing sin, and as we know, sin loves the dark and does not like being exposed to the light. So when you have to decide what to say or how to respond to your spouse, always pick truth. It may hurt and may make things uncomfortable but ultimately it is our job as Christians to be loving and truthful with one another.