Do You Prefer a Straight or a Crooked Answer?
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A straight answer
Consequences have gotten a bad rap over the years. Generally, we think of a consequence as something negative. But it’s not. A consequence is a result, effect, conclusion, or product of some cause or action.
But too often, the popular sense of a consequence is a negative outcome. This was the premise of the popular TV show, Truth or Consequences, and the name of a city in New Mexico. But, a consequence can be good, bad, or neutral in its impact.
Directness and honesty are not so common these days. Not a day goes by without a revelation of untruthfulness by someone we encounter in daily life, or some celebrity or government leader. At least, that’s the way it seems.
Sadly, disinformation—a common euphemism for indirect, often untrue statements—has become the norm. It’s not just people in the spotlight—the news media, government spokespersons, celebrities, etc. Advertisements or companies that don’t honor their guarantees and then justify this dishonesty have become too common as well.
Before you get indignant and outraged at all this indirect and dishonest communication, think about yourself. How many times have you been less than truthful, or avoided the full truth, in conversations between you and your spouse, parents, children, friends, co-workers, or neighbors? We might use the euphemistic label white lies to describe this behavior.
How often have you or I said or thought something like—Why didn’t you just tell me the truth? What we mean is this—Why didn’t you care enough and respect me enough by giving me a straight answer?
Scripture
Giving a straight answer is like a kiss on the lips.
Do not testify against your neighbor without a reason,
and do not deceive with your lips.
Do not say, “I’ll treat him as he treated me.
I’ll pay him back for what he has done to me.” (Proverbs 24:26, 28-29 GW)
(Context— (Proverbs 24:23-34 GW)
Simple insights
Giving a straight answer, or an honest answer, has a good consequence. Here in Proverbs it says, it’s like a kiss on the lips. This figure of expression shows respect and affection. It’s the opposite of deception.
As far as negative consequences, these other verses from Proverbs 24 speak for themselves. It ought to be obvious these three things we are not to do will lead to negative consequences. But is it obvious to us?
The problem with lying—even half-truths and white lies—is the continual need to reaffirm the first lie with other lies. Lying becomes habitual. It’s a behavioral mode to avoid certain consequences, confrontations, or continued conversations.
But there’s a deeper problem here. One we tend to mutter under our breath or just think without saying—payback. Payback is just another word for revenge. Revenge is a distorted sense of justice—of making things right as we see them.
As believers—followers of Jesus—we are called to be beacons of light in a dark world (Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:14-16) and to love our enemies rather than get retribution (Matthew 6:43-48; Romans 12:19).
We are called to give direct, honest answers to one another. We are to love the truth and speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Jesus also wants us to love our neighbors and to be merciful, even as our Father in heaven is merciful (Luke 6:36).
So, which do you prefer—a straight answer or a crooked one? If you’re like me, you’d choose the straight answer, even if it’s hard to hear at first. But if we want to hear the truth instead of lies and deception, we need to be truth-tellers ourselves and avoid even a hint of deception.
This is a choice we make ourselves, regardless of how others might be. When we choose to honor and uphold the truth, the Lord will honor our choice, and we will honor Him.
Reflection—
God calls us to be beacons of light in a dark world, to love our enemies, to give direct, honest answers, and to love the truth and speak the truth in love to one another, our neighbors, and others—and to be merciful.
Prayer Focus—
When you find yourself being less than honest with someone or even yourself, ask the Lord to give you a love for the truth and for others. Seek to be light in the darkness and to be merciful when others are not.
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