“Honest Answer”
“But let your 'Yes' be
'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil
one.” Matthew 5:37, NKJV
Have
you ever got this response to a question, need a real answer, but instead, you hear back, “Let me pray about it.” Almost non-committal. Because that is
what it really is quite often.
You
are looking for a commitment from another, and yet, as so often is the case
with Christians these days, we have become so accustomed in giving a non-committal
response to most requests, just to get the one asking to hopefully forget about
asking us in the first place, and not bother asking again. In truth, it is because often we are
hoping they will forget about asking us and find
someone who will give an honest answer.
In
far too many cases, it has become a flippant, quick answer, when the response is, “I will pray
about it”, when all along we are hoping the one asking won’t follow up after enough
time has gone by.
Somehow,
I get the sense that when Jesus gave His answer of “let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and
your ‘no’ be ‘no’”, He knew what was in the heart of man. In fact, He followed
this statement with another, “For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Wow! If we must
give something other than a yes or a no answer, it is from the evil one?
Jesus said as much.
I
like how THE MESSAGE version of the Bible verse reads, “Just say 'yes' and
'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.”
Simply
put – if you can’t give an honest answer about something, just say so. “Yes, I
can" or "No, I can’t.”
Here
is another verse about responding in truth from the heart, written in the Complete
Jewish Bible. “Giving an honest answer is like giving a kiss.” Proverbs 24:26
Most
kisses are good, so I take this to mean that when you say what you really
should say, that which is in your heart, then the person receiving the answer
knows it, and is thankful for the truth given.
For
myself, I am thankful for those who tell me, honestly, whether or not they can
do something asked of them. If they truly are not sure of their schedule,
commitment ability to complete the task asked of them, or simply don’t want to,
I can appreciate that. Just tell me. But to say, “I’ll pray about it”, when you
know you really won’t, then stop lying. Again, as Jesus said, “for whatever is
more than these is from the evil one.”
We
need to be more honest with each other. We need to stop making excuses as to
why we won’t be committed or give something, time or goods, when it is in our
ability to do so. And if we can’t, then simply say so. Agree?
If
you really are sincere, and really will commit to pray before giving your answer,
knowing that you do need to seek the Lord for His wisdom and guidance, then do
so. But if you know already that you really won’t give an honest answer, just to somewhat brush the person off, then simply
let them know.
Being
the leader of a ministry, I get many requests from those who know of our work, asking for
more provision for them and theirs. There are several times when I simply need
to tell them, “No.” That answer doesn’t make it any easier to say, but it is
the truth.
Our
trust in each other, and for one another, will become more as it should be, as
we give honest answers to one another. Practice how you would want to be answered. By giving the truth.
Now think on this and see what good things the Lord has in store
for you and those around you.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People,
Inc.
Please sign up for my
bi-weekly newsletter: Now Think On This. The sign-up form is on our ministry website: www.loveforhispeople.blogspot.com
Love For His People ministry
P.O. Box 414
Pineville, NC 28134
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Now Think On This #445
- in the year of our Lord
08.05.19 – “Honest Answer” – Monday, 7:25 pm
