Proverbs 24

Proverbs 24. Verse 26 stood out to me today, though all were very moving. What strikes me as unusual about this verse is that it is short and in the middle of many deep verses, I almost missed it, but I’m glad I didn’t. It states, “An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips”. In my opinion, it means that it is a joyful, loving experience to receive an honest answer. To many times, we get caught up in what people want to hear, not what they need to hear, the truth. So to spare one’s feelings, we may be tempted to “stretch the truth” and not answer honestly. Oh how dangerous that can be, for both you, and the person your answering.

For you, it starts you down a slippery slope of deception. For example, a “little lie” (no such thing) to your friend (I’ll call him Billy) about his singing ability leads to another lie about what you’re doing tonight, leads to another about things you have done, and it keeps getting worse, to where you’re lying about everything and your integrity with everyone is lost. Not only that, but you may have destroyed other people’s lives in your deception, which is exactly the opposite of what God wants us to do. That is how satan works, by starting you off “small” on little things, so you are used to the sin, and then it is easier to do wrong on bigger things more frequently.

Lying is also damaging to others. Using the same example above, what if “Billy” takes your lie to heart and believes he has singing talent. The next thing you know, you see him on American Idol belting out a tune, way off key, to millions of people, who are all laughing at him. Now, how do you think he feels? What do you believe he thinks of you? How have you helped him by telling a “little lie”? I know it is an extreme example, but much worse outcomes come from lying.

Keep in mind, I’m not saying to be brutally honest, that is being hurtful in your honesty without any tact or restraint, but there are ways to be both honest and understanding with people. Which scenario do you think “Billy” would have preferred: Dealing with a friend telling him he can’t sing or finding out on national television from millions of strangers? Which one would you prefer? Keep that in mind the next time you have an opportunity to lie or tell the truth. Lies are hurtful and detestable to God and even the “little ones” can have horrendous results. Lord, please help me to properly deliver honest answers, to be uplifting to those who seek my counsel, and also to be understanding (without anger or offense) to those answers given honestly to me. Rick.