Speak the Truth Today Even When It Costs You | Morning Prayer

TLDR;

This video discusses the importance of truthfulness as a virtue that God values, contrasting it with lying, which He detests. It acknowledges the difficulty of telling the truth, especially when it's unpopular or costly, and encourages believers to prioritize truth in their daily lives, starting with those closest to them. The video also emphasizes the need to communicate the truth with love and wisdom, aiming to correct and edify rather than to hurt or insult. It concludes with a prayer for forgiveness, deliverance from a lying tongue and fear, and for the grace, wisdom, and boldness to live truthfully.

• God values truthfulness and detests lying.
• Telling the truth can be difficult and costly.
• Truth should be spoken with love and wisdom.
• Prayer for forgiveness, deliverance, grace, wisdom, and boldness.

Introduction: The Importance of Truth [0:02]

The video begins by highlighting the biblical perspective on truth and lies, referencing Proverbs 6:16-17, which lists things God hates, including "haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood." It emphasizes that God is a God of truth and desires truthfulness in His followers. Proverbs 12:22 reinforces this, stating that while the Lord detests lying lips, He delights in those who are trustworthy. The speaker asserts that believers should always stand for the truth, regardless of the personal cost.

The Difficulty of Truthfulness [1:12]

The speaker acknowledges the challenges of telling the truth, sharing personal experiences where doing so felt like "committing social suicide." She recounts instances where she remained silent to avoid alienation, even when she knew the prevailing beliefs were untrue. Standing for the truth can lead to alienation, judgment, and feeling ostracized for going against popular opinion, even within church communities. The world often pressures individuals to compromise the truth for popularity.

Biblical Examples and the Charge to Be Truthful [3:19]

The video references the prophet Nathan's daunting task of confronting King David about his sins and John the Baptist's imprisonment for speaking truth to Herod Antipas. While acknowledging that times have changed, the speaker emphasizes that truth can still be difficult to voice, and many people avoid difficult conversations due to fear of repercussions. However, the message is not to remain merely human but to be truthful to the world, to others, and to oneself. Quoting Ephesians 4:25, the speaker urges listeners to put off falsehood and speak truthfully, starting in their daily lives with family and fellow believers, at work, at home, and in all day-to-day interactions.

Speaking Truth with Love and Wisdom [5:28]

The speaker stresses that while telling the truth is crucial, it should be done with love and wisdom, not with rashness or insult. The motive and manner of delivery matter significantly and can affect the recipient's reaction. The reasons for speaking the truth should be for correction, clarification, and edification, not to cause hurt or gloat. Truth should not be told in a demeaning or destructive way that causes the message to be lost. Drawing again on the example of Nathan and David, the speaker suggests that an insulting rant would have been counterproductive. While some may still be insulted by the truth, the goal is to communicate in a way that doesn't cut people off, trusting God for wisdom.

Accepting Repercussions and Making a Commitment [7:29]

The video acknowledges that telling the truth, no matter how well-intentioned, can have repercussions. Despite this, listeners are encouraged to make a commitment to speak the truth daily, even when it comes at a cost. The speaker invites those ready to reject lies and fear and stand for truth to join in prayer.

Prayer for Forgiveness and Deliverance [8:23]

The prayer begins with acknowledging guilt for past instances of lying and avoiding the truth due to fear of consequences. The speaker asks for forgiveness and deliverance from a lying tongue, recognizing how much God despises it. There is a renunciation of prioritizing acceptance and popular opinion over truth. The prayer then addresses fear, casting it out and breaking free from its hold, including fear of others' opinions and being cut off.

Prayer for Grace, Wisdom, and Boldness [11:32]

The prayer continues by asking for the grace to be and stay truthful, acknowledging the need for divine help to overcome doubt and face consequences. It seeks wisdom to communicate the truth in the right way, avoiding brashness or insult, and boldness to speak the truth regardless of the cost or disagreement from others. The prayer concludes with gratitude for the courage to stand against weakness and for answered prayers, including the removal of a lying tongue and the ability to speak the truth in love.

Conclusion: Encouragement and Blessing [13:59]

The video concludes with a blessing, hoping the prayer strengthens listeners to walk in truth, reject falsehood, and speak with courage, wisdom, and love, even when it's costly. It asks for God to deliver from fear, grant boldness to stand for what is right, and help listeners live in a way that honors Him. Viewers are invited to share prayer requests in the comments, and the video ends with a benediction of peace.