Little white lies.

Big unsaid truths.

Smoothing it over by telling someone what they want to hear.

Avoid confrontation at all costs so you won’t be rejected.

We rarely do these things because we don’t like someone, in fact, we do them the most for those we love.

Little white lies can slowly become the language of our relationships as well as we try to protect our most tender selves.

^{15 “}Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. ” Ephesians 4:15 NIV

“Liars hate their victims; flatterers sabotage trust.”  ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭26:28‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Words are powerful and all deception, whether it is big or small, deteriorates relationships.

It doesn’t matter if it is a negative slur or positive flattery.

If the words you are speaking are not true, you are not really loving who you are speaking to. Deceptive words will cause ruin whether you want them to or not.

If you love someone, tell them the truth. It doesn’t have to be brutal or mean, but it does need to be spoken.

This isn’t a challenge to suddenly verbally vomit all your pent up, stuffed down and swallowed words on the ones you love. This is a loving reminder to examine your words and the state of your heart.

I want to encourage you to ask God to show you why you are stuffing, swallowing, avoiding and not speaking the truth.

Can I tell you the truth?  With all the love I have in my heart hear this: it probably has more to do with how you see yourself than how you see others.

When you discover why you are lying and unintentionally ruining your relationships, you will uncover a place that God wants to heal.

Jesus will give you the courage to boldly look at your underlying motives and begin to speak the truth in love.

Speak the truth in love.

Face the fear of being misunderstood.

Ask God to begin to heal the broken parts in you so that you can have healthy relationships with those around you.