For many, telling the truth seems to be more challenging than coming up with a lie or an excuse. Instead of coming clean or apologizing, others might find it easier to run with their mistakes. This isn’t new. Ever since the earliest days in the Garden (see Genesis 3), humanity has been attempting to suppress the truth when all along, God has made it clear to everyone. Why does mankind seem to sabotage their key to freedom?
An Unpleasant Feeling
No one likes to be called out for their mistakes. Every single one of us wants to be right. It hurts our pride when we have to admit that we’ve done wrong. It can sometimes cancel out the good that we have done, allowing people to question our capability, credibility, and authenticity. Admitting the truth and owning up to a mistake has never been easy. It makes us more vulnerable to rebuke. So we choose comfort even if it means holding back God’s blessings.
Those of us who have received Christ must forgo this way of living. In Romans 1:18 – 19 it says, “But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them.” When we choose the lies, we become resistant not only to the truth but to who God is. In the process, what’s right becomes masked even when it has been made visible all along.
When we suppress the truth, we also deal with guilt. It is a chain that a person inflicts upon himself. But instead of asking for correcting our mistakes, many choose to conceal the truth leading a person and others around to live with a falsehood. Despite these unpleasant feelings, we must remember that, “…if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9)
A Way Out
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5)
How then can a person break the cycle of lies? It starts with asking for forgiveness. So many things would be made right if human beings would just say “I’m sorry.” Countless relationships will be restored, mistakes will be corrected, time will be saved, and more things on this earth will be made right. As we deal with our own imperfections, we become open to accountability. The false confidence caused by the lies shatters and is replaced by humility that opens us up to accept God’s Word as the Truth in our lives. When we allow this to happen, breakthrough happens.
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)
Admitting mistakes brings relief. Lies are a burden to the mind, the heart, and even in relationships. The apostle Paul, in Ephesians 4:25 admonishes us: “So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.” When we humble ourselves enough to make things right, the effect goes beyond our own lives. We also allow others to thrive in a lifestyle that doesn’t depend on lying in order to get ahead. We build up a culture of authenticity and sincerity, allowing others God’s truth to bring us together.
Jesus has already set us free. Release the blessings God meant for you. Let go of the fear that tempts you to cover up the truth. Enjoy the freedom that comes with knowing the truth and living it out.
