Let’s face it…you shouldn’t say everything that comes to your mind. We should always pursue peace. For instance, “That is the ugliest baby I have ever seen!” is a thought that needs to be kept caged even if you have never been more convinced of anything in your life! “Absolutely!” is always the answer to the question, “Honey, does this dress make me look thinner?” Don’t hesitate. One aspect of a successful marriage is the understanding that every sentence ending with a question mark is not always a question!

For sure, every baby is a beautiful gift from God, and there are times when we can tactfully explain to a family member that a certain piece of clothing is not the most flattering. Peter gives us the following instructions from a spiritual and practical perspective to help us guard our communication with one another.

1 Peter 3:10-11
Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

As believers, we must make sure that truth-telling is the pattern of our speech. When we conceal the truth, distort the truth, or tell a half-truth, it will catch up with us sooner or later. And long before the consequences make a tangible appearance, the spiritual crack of disobedience will slow us down from following hard after Jesus.    

Truth-telling allows us to “love life” and “see good days.” Living a life of deceit eats us up from the inside out.

Father, give us the courage to tell the truth and to live the truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.