“Truth is the most valuable thing we have, so I try to conserve it. ~Mark Twain ”
Sometimes it’s hard to be honest without offending at least one person. We’re living in a society that has so many competing views, beliefs and values that its more common to be “uncommon” than it is to be alike. So how do you maintain your value and belief system while also being respectful to the beliefs of others?
I think its important that no matter how different your beliefs, its important to be honest and operate in a spirit of love at all times. Being honest about what you believe and stand for can be a hard stance to take, especially if you are in the minority. However, when you are able to remain grounded in what you believe, no matter how uncomfortable it may be, a sense of strength and boldness tends to rise within you. The more you stand for truth, the bolder you become in voicing your beliefs and convictions.
People often confuse being truthful with being intolerant or insensitive. Yet, when you tell the truth in love others are able to receive what you are saying more as an expression of your conviction rather than a condemnation of their belief. Truth demands a respect even if the other person disagrees with you. But, you cannot operate in love while at the same time being dishonest about what you believe.
God gives us an example of how telling the truth, in love, can have a greater impact than simply agreeing with a person just to avoid hurt feelings. Jesus gives us several examples of how honesty and love is more powerful than any lie. The story of Jesus and the woman at the well is one such example. Here Jesus meets a Samaritan woman. The Samaritans were often despised by the Jews because of their different views. Jesus asked the woman to go and get her husband. In reply, the woman admitted that she had no husband. Jesus of course already knew this and called her out on the fact that she had been married five times and was living with her boyfriend. By confronting the woman’s sin in truth and love, it opened the door for the woman to seek repentance. By this encounter, the woman was not only redeemed but she ran to evangelize to others about Jesus the Messiah.
Standing on what you believe may mean confronting those things that are counter to the truth. However, when you approach all things in love, you allow room for God to soften the hearts of your listener. Don’t compromise, stand boldly on what you know to be true! Truth is the most valuable thing we have, so I try to conserve it. ~Mark Twain