Reflection:  Most of us don’t wake up each morning saying, ‘I’m going to deceive someone!’. We often tend to either pad the facts to just say half-truths. Sounds harmless, right? And if everyone is happier with slightly altered words, what’s so bad about it?

Well, when you prevent someone from seeing the entire picture (the good, bad and ugly) you in turn prevent them from making good decisions, which is why the Bible calls it deception and warns us against it. Think about it: if someone’s entire understanding of a situation is shaped by your words, and they aren’t truthful, so much can go so wrong.  You can set off a whole course of action in the wrong direction, even if you meant well.

When we have access into people’s lives, when they have allowed us to speak words of advice or truth into their reality, we have such an amazing gift and responsibility to be honest with them through the words we choose.

Prayer:  Lord, I know that sometimes I can blur the truth with my words. Help me to be wise when I choose what to say and what not to say, especially when I know my words will impact someone’s decision. Help me to speak not to win people over, but to honour you. Amen.