Spiritual Reproach

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"No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true." ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

What does it mean to be honest or truthful?

Honest:

~Marked by or displaying integrity; upright: an honest lawyer.

~Not deceptive or fraudulent; genuine: honest weight.

~Equitable; fair: honest wages for an honest day's work.

~Characterized by truth; not false: honest reporting.

~Sincere; frank: an honest critique.

~Of good repute; respectable.

~Without affectation; plain: honest folk.

~Virtuous; chaste

Truthful:
~Consistently telling the truth; honest.

~Corresponding to reality; true.

~telling the truth; honest

~true; based on facts

Many of us have had the unfortunate experience of being lied to at one point or another in our life time. If we will be bold enough to admit it, we have also been on the other end of that and were the one that lied to someone else. Maybe it was just a little "white lie" that was meant as no harm, or maybe something was said that was meant to "get even" with another. Regardless of the situation or circumstance, a lie is still a lie and wrong is wrong.

Luke 8:16-18 "No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have."

John 3:19-21 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."

This past month the LORD has graciously been teaching our family about accountability in the body of CHRIST. Galatians 6:1-2 "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

When we see a fellow believer grossly distorting the truth or embellishing things beyond recognition, and we know for a fact that what they are doing is wrong, that is when we as sisters/brothers in CHRIST need to come forth to that person in love and help guide them back onto the straight & narrow path that GOD and HIS Word have paved out before us. However, if we allow them to continue in their sin and turn a blind eye to it, then we are just as culpable.

As parents you raise your children to know right from wrong. At times they might miss the mark but Mom & Dad are always right there willing to lovingly correct them so that things will go well with them. We do this because we love our children and only want the best for them. Right!?! Scripture tells us to love one another, not just our children, family & friends...but everyone. So if we profess to be Christians & yet we don't love our brother or sister enough to lovingly correct them when we see they have missed the mark, what does that say to them or to others who may be observing our actions?

Once you have stepped out in faith & lovingly tried to help the person, it is then up to them to take that instruction and repent of their wrong doing, pick themselves up and start over again with the LORD'S grace. if they choose not to change and stay on the same long, wide and winding road that ultimately leads to destruction, then you will know that you did what the LORD would have had you do & you know that you can continue to pray for that person with a clear spiritual conscious.

No one enjoys being corrected, but we all need to be willing to open ourselves up and let down our pride and defenses to what the LORD is trying to do in our lives; regardless of who the person or person are that the LORD is using to help discipline and guide you.

Ecclesiates 4:9-10 "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."

Isn't it time for us to get real and be honest? Take a good look at your own spiritual maturity. I'm sure we all have areas that we can grow & learn in, if we would only be willing to take spiritual discipline and reproach in the loving manner in which it is given.