HONESTY

[blue_ladybug]

Hey everyone!! I was inspired to make this thread from an incident that occurred a couple of days ago, between a few other posters and myself. The total, complete truth had not been told, and some of us were under the impression that something we had been told on here, was true. That turned out NOT to be the case. Anyway, that started me thinking about complete honesty. How honest should we be with others if any given situation comes up, and you know the entire truth, and others should know that truth also, but you keep part of the truth hidden to protect someone? Do you keep the truth hidden, and let others believe something totally opposite of what you know to be the absolute truth about that situation? Do you speak up, or stay quiet? Do you tell the truth or betray a friend's confidence?

This thread is NOT directed at anyone involved in the incident I spoke of earlier. I'm aiming it at everyone here. Is it ever okay to not completely tell the absolute truth of something, or should we be, at certain times, "selectively honest" in order to protect someone's safety, reputation and welfare? No matter what the situation might be?

 

[VioletReigns]

I will speak for myself. I would ask my friend if together we could come up with the right words to help people understand their particular situation. If my friend didn't want to expose his or her situation publicly, I would not say anything at all.

 

[atwhatcost]

Hey everyone!! I was inspired to make this thread from an incident that occurred a couple of days ago, between a few other posters and myself. The total, complete truth had not been told, and some of us were under the impression that something we had been told on here, was true. That turned out NOT to be the case. Anyway, that started me thinking about complete honesty. How honest should we be with others if any given situation comes up, and you know the entire truth, and others should know that truth also, but you keep part of the truth hidden to protect someone? Do you keep the truth hidden, and let others believe something totally opposite of what you know to be the absolute truth about that situation? Do you speak up, or stay quiet? Do you tell the truth or betray a friend's confidence?

This thread is NOT directed at anyone involved in the incident I spoke of earlier. I'm aiming it at everyone here. Is it ever okay to not completely tell the absolute truth of something, or should we be, at certain times, "selectively honest" in order to protect someone's safety, reputation and welfare? No matter what the situation might be?

I've told many stories about me that involved family or friends. I simply kept out the parts that reflect them in a bad light whenever possible. If the story is relevant with them in it, I don't tell exactly who they are. For instance, I've told one of my brothers abused me. I have four brothers, I don't name names and avoid the details as much as possible. Not so much to protect him, but to protect his family and friends. (Those who need to know already know.)

My sin area is gossiping, so that's where I have to figure out what parts to tell and what parts not to tell. My stories are about me. To give additional information on others is to gossip. Already a problem area, so not good to inflame it. But I do believe it helps to consider what is and isn't gossip to discern what to tell and what not to tell.

But I've seen some whoppers on this site. If it's relevant to expose, I try to go for their own words written elsewhere to expose them. If it's just a fish story, (does no harm or is already some hyperbole), I let it go.

 

[Willie-T]

I will speak for myself. I would ask my friend if together we could come up with the right words to help people understand their particular situation. If my friend didn't want to expose his or her situation publicly, I would not say anything at all.

Absolutely. This says it all.

 

[BS]

it is a friend? how it is possible to lying then? ask!

​

 

[jsr1221]

Hey everyone!! I was inspired to make this thread from an incident that occurred a couple of days ago, between a few other posters and myself. The total, complete truth had not been told, and some of us were under the impression that something we had been told on here, was true. That turned out NOT to be the case. Anyway, that started me thinking about complete honesty. How honest should we be with others if any given situation comes up, and you know the entire truth, and others should know that truth also, but you keep part of the truth hidden to protect someone? Do you keep the truth hidden, and let others believe something totally opposite of what you know to be the absolute truth about that situation? Do you speak up, or stay quiet? Do you tell the truth or betray a friend's confidence?

This thread is NOT directed at anyone involved in the incident I spoke of earlier. I'm aiming it at everyone here. Is it ever okay to not completely tell the absolute truth of something, or should we be, at certain times, "selectively honest" in order to protect someone's safety, reputation and welfare? No matter what the situation might be?

I think complete honesty is important in EVERY SINGLE situation, big or small. When one decides to be "partly" honest as a way to "protect" someone, the person is trying to play God, thinking he/she knows more about the actual person trying to be "protected." You can't be God... Tell the truth, even if it shakes the person and makes him/her crumble. Because GOD will be there to pick the person up, as HE will protect him/her, because that's what HE does. It's not your job.

 

[blue_ladybug]

I've told many stories about me that involved family or friends. I simply kept out the parts that reflect them in a bad light whenever possible. If the story is relevant with them in it, I don't tell exactly who they are. For instance, I've told one of my brothers abused me. I have four brothers, I don't name names and avoid the details as much as possible. Not so much to protect him, but to protect his family and friends. (Those who need to know already know.)

My sin area is gossiping, so that's where I have to figure out what parts to tell and what parts not to tell. My stories are about me. To give additional information on others is to gossip. Already a problem area, so not good to inflame it. But I do believe it helps to consider what is and isn't gossip to discern what to tell and what not to tell.

But I've seen some whoppers on this site. If it's relevant to expose, I try to go for their own words written elsewhere to expose them. If it's just a fish story, (does no harm or is already some hyperbole), I let it go.

good answer, Lynn. But if I could use your example of what one of your brothers did. You said those who absolutely needed to know, do know. But what if someone who did NOT know which brother it was, went around saying that it was "Mike", when in reality, it actually was "David" that had abused you? Would you disclose his name to that person to clear up their assumption, or just let them continue to gossip and make others think that the "wrong" brother had done it?

As for your comment about which parts to tell and which to keep secret, how do we decide that, especially if one of the parts you choose to keep to yourself, could prevent misunderstandings on the part of others?

Here are two examples, and they are hypothetical. Say two friends and I go to a store, and one of them shoplifts an item of clothing and sneaks it in my purse without me knowing. The other friend sees all this happen, and when store security arrives, they are going to arrest me. Should that friend tell the truth and let the shoplifter get caught, or stay quiet and let ME get in trouble for stealing even though I'm innocent? The friend wants to be honest, but at the same time, she doesn't want to lose a friendship. Would YOU stay quiet or speak up? This question is for anyone, not just Lynn..lol..

Another scenario: "Vincent" is a drug dealer. I have a grudge against him, so I decide to taint his coke. Or whatever drug he sells. Someone buys this tainted cocaine and dies from it. Should I keep quiet and let Vincent take the rap, or speak up and tell the truth, even though it lands me in prison? Should I let my dislike for Vincent overpower my urge to tell the truth that I tainted the coke, not Vincent?

These are probably poor examples, lol, but you get my drift. HOW do we decide what parts of truth to disclose? How do we determine which parts of truth would hurt someone more than protecting them? Should we ALWAYS be honest, no matter what? Or stay silent and let our fear, ignorance, and whatever, determine how we answer?

 

[BS]

I think complete honesty is important in EVERY SINGLE situation, big or small. When one decides to be "partly" honest as a way to "protect" someone, the person is trying to play God, thinking he/she knows more about the actual person trying to be "protected." You can't be God... Tell the truth, even if it shakes the person and makes him/her crumble. Because GOD will be there to pick the person up, as HE will protect him/her, because that's what HE does. It's not your job.

Agreed 100%!

 

[blue_ladybug]

Thank you everyone for all your responses..

 

[atwhatcost]

good answer, Lynn. But if I could use your example of what one of your brothers did. You said those who absolutely needed to know, do know. But what if someone who did NOT know which brother it was, went around saying that it was "Mike", when in reality, it actually was "David" that had abused you? Would you disclose his name to that person to clear up their assumption, or just let them continue to gossip and make others think that the "wrong" brother had done it?

As for your comment about which parts to tell and which to keep secret, how do we decide that, especially if one of the parts you choose to keep to yourself, could prevent misunderstandings on the part of others?

Here are two examples, and they are hypothetical. Say two friends and I go to a store, and one of them shoplifts an item of clothing and sneaks it in my purse without me knowing. The other friend sees all this happen, and when store security arrives, they are going to arrest me. Should that friend tell the truth and let the shoplifter get caught, or stay quiet and let ME get in trouble for stealing even though I'm innocent? The friend wants to be honest, but at the same time, she doesn't want to lose a friendship. Would YOU stay quiet or speak up? This question is for anyone, not just Lynn..lol..

Another scenario: "Vincent" is a drug dealer. I have a grudge against him, so I decide to taint his coke. Or whatever drug he sells. Someone buys this tainted cocaine and dies from it. Should I keep quiet and let Vincent take the rap, or speak up and tell the truth, even though it lands me in prison? Should I let my dislike for Vincent overpower my urge to tell the truth that I tainted the coke, not Vincent?

These are probably poor examples, lol, but you get my drift. HOW do we decide what parts of truth to disclose? How do we determine which parts of truth would hurt someone more than protecting them? Should we ALWAYS be honest, no matter what? Or stay silent and let our fear, ignorance, and whatever, determine how we answer?

By examples given:

1. If I said "Someone in this family abused me" and no one was in the room but my family, everyone, except one person, would instantly look at the right person. (Even Dad would know and he literally doesn't know much anymore.) The right person would be glaring at me.

If it was an outsider, I just tell them to stop gossiping because they have no idea what happened and with whom. It was also not their business to know.

2. If I saw the friend stashing something in my other friend's purse, my response would be, "What in the world are you doing?" If I lose that friendship? Okay. Good, because why do I want a friend whose going to do that to his/her friend anyway?

3. Ummm, why am I tainting drugs?
Okay, going to go with this was doing something underhanded that could cause others problems anyway. (Like your second example.) Even back in the days when I had the common sense of CP3O (none lol), I still wouldn't do anything that could possibly hurt someone else. Maybe emotional hurt someone, but never anything that could physically cause damage or death.

I was dumb enough to notice all my friends could drive stoned, so I should be able to, but the two times I tried, I didn't get more than 20 feet before stopping. (Sure, one time I almost hit the wide side of an apartment building, but it was still only 20 feet from where I started, and I slammed on the brakes. Put the car into park, got out, and called back, "Okay. Somebody else drive now," as I squished into the back seat.) The other time, I lit the dube on the near end of a pullover area in the road. And by the time I was starting to pull out, it hit me, so I took a nap until it wore off. (Six hour drive suddenly turned into a nine hour drive too. lol)

One of the things that probably saved a life or two was I was so committed to making sure people didn't get hurt, I was usually the designated driver, back in the days when that was a new concept. (Mid 70's.) It wasn't as noble as it sounds. We had already lost a friend through DUI, and my roommate borrowed my car one night, got so drunk she doesn't remember the rest of the story, my car had a large dent in the front bumper ('67 Mustang, so fully metal bumper too), and I would have never learned what happened if the cops hadn't brought her home, left my car where they pulled her over, (fortunately, mere blocks from our apartment), and she just happened to be telling her mystery to her passenger. (She had no memory she was driving someone else home. The only memory she had after drinking too much, was shoving my pot from the top of the chest of drawers into it, after waking me up at 4 AM to tell me cops were in our living room to give me back my keys. The friend she was taking home was the one who told her they got pulled over at 1 AM and the cops took her to the station for a breathalyzer test and then booked her. They gave the friend a ride home. I wasn't the only one without common sense back then. lol) And, yes, I can tell this story, because it's 40 years later and that friend understands exactly how lucky she is to be alive.

You know me. I am honest. Because I'm honest, dishonest people tend to avoid me because they know I'm not going to put up with their behavior.

So, want to pick a story closer to relating to what really happened? I'm pretty sure this isn't about shoplifting or tainted drugs, although I suspect it has something to do with something illegal.

 

[atwhatcost]

I think complete honesty is important in EVERY SINGLE situation, big or small. When one decides to be "partly" honest as a way to "protect" someone, the person is trying to play God, thinking he/she knows more about the actual person trying to be "protected." You can't be God... Tell the truth, even if it shakes the person and makes him/her crumble. Because GOD will be there to pick the person up, as HE will protect him/her, because that's what HE does. It's not your job.

Really? If you had something incredibly embarrassing you don't want the world to know, (you had to change your pants after "an accident," you have a tail coming off the bottom of your spine, or you once beat someone half to death) and you tell a friend, it's okay for the friend to be completely honest about you? After all, God's there to pick you up.

I think honesty has quite a bit to do with not letting the cat out of the bag, when someone tells you something in confidence too.

 

[HoneyDew]

If someone tells me something in confidence I keep my mouth shut. Rumors are just that and you can't force people to believe one way or the other.

To be honest (no pun intended) I have learned a long time ago if I don't want people to know something I don't tell a soul but Jesus and he already knows anyway.

 

[chickwithsticks]

Blue: this is such a tough question. Not knowing the details (I'm not asking for any) it makes it tough to try and advise. IMO: trust and confidences should never be betrayed unless someone else's life or safety is literally in danger. I actually said this to a friend once who began asking me if I promise to never tell a soul yadda yadda and I could tell this was gonna be a whopper so I told her upfront as long as no one is in danger etc...I would keep her confidence but if I felt...(sure you get the drift).

I believe "every problem has a solution" so my thoughts are if someone is in literal danger than you must act. How I can't tell you without the details. There must be a way to secure safety while minimizing damages. If this is just about gossip or a misunderstanding and someone is getting away with something (I'm sure it isn't or you wouldn't be asking) I would never betray a confidence. I might continue to talk to parties involved to try and convince them to do the right thing.

I feel like this won't be helpful at all...

 

[blue_ladybug]

By examples given:

1. If I said "Someone in this family abused me" and no one was in the room but my family, everyone, except one person, would instantly look at the right person. (Even Dad would know and he literally doesn't know much anymore.) The right person would be glaring at me.

If it was an outsider, I just tell them to stop gossiping because they have no idea what happened and with whom. It was also not their business to know.

2. If I saw the friend stashing something in my other friend's purse, my response would be, "What in the world are you doing?" If I lose that friendship? Okay. Good, because why do I want a friend whose going to do that to his/her friend anyway?

3. Ummm, why am I tainting drugs?
Okay, going to go with this was doing something underhanded that could cause others problems anyway. (Like your second example.) Even back in the days when I had the common sense of CP3O (none lol), I still wouldn't do anything that could possibly hurt someone else. Maybe emotional hurt someone, but never anything that could physically cause damage or death.

I was dumb enough to notice all my friends could drive stoned, so I should be able to, but the two times I tried, I didn't get more than 20 feet before stopping. (Sure, one time I almost hit the wide side of an apartment building, but it was still only 20 feet from where I started, and I slammed on the brakes. Put the car into park, got out, and called back, "Okay. Somebody else drive now," as I squished into the back seat.) The other time, I lit the dube on the near end of a pullover area in the road. And by the time I was starting to pull out, it hit me, so I took a nap until it wore off. (Six hour drive suddenly turned into a nine hour drive too. lol)

One of the things that probably saved a life or two was I was so committed to making sure people didn't get hurt, I was usually the designated driver, back in the days when that was a new concept. (Mid 70's.) It wasn't as noble as it sounds. We had already lost a friend through DUI, and my roommate borrowed my car one night, got so drunk she doesn't remember the rest of the story, my car had a large dent in the front bumper ('67 Mustang, so fully metal bumper too), and I would have never learned what happened if the cops hadn't brought her home, left my car where they pulled her over, (fortunately, mere blocks from our apartment), and she just happened to be telling her mystery to her passenger. (She had no memory she was driving someone else home. The only memory she had after drinking too much, was shoving my pot from the top of the chest of drawers into it, after waking me up at 4 AM to tell me cops were in our living room to give me back my keys. The friend she was taking home was the one who told her they got pulled over at 1 AM and the cops took her to the station for a breathalyzer test and then booked her. They gave the friend a ride home. I wasn't the only one without common sense back then. lol) And, yes, I can tell this story, because it's 40 years later and that friend understands exactly how lucky she is to be alive.

You know me. I am honest. Because I'm honest, dishonest people tend to avoid me because they know I'm not going to put up with their behavior.

So, want to pick a story closer to relating to what really happened? I'm pretty sure this isn't about shoplifting or tainted drugs, although I suspect it has something to do with something illegal.

Actually it does NOT have anything to do with something illegal, but I can't really give the whole story of what happened, without going against the permission of someone who asked me not to talk about it.

So, taking your response to jsr about "not letting the cat out of the bag", my question is, should we ALWAYS keep the cat in the bag, or know when to let it out? You're always talking about case by case circumstances, so would hiding the truth be better even though it would hurt someone? Or tell the complete truth and let whatever happens, happen? By "hurt someone", I mean like their feelings or reputation. I'm all for honesty, as long as it's used to clear up gossip and rumors or untarnish someone's reputation over a misunderstanding.

And this can apply to any given situation, not just the hypothetical examples I've presented here. Is telling the truth ALWAYS the right thing to do? Or should we treat each situation on a case by case basis, telling this part of the truth, and that part of this lie?

 

[GodIsSalvation]

Either be totally honest or hold your peace. In situations like this, it is often better to hold your peace.

 

[Galahad]

Hey everyone!! I was inspired to make this thread from an incident that occurred a couple of days ago, between a few other posters and myself. The total, complete truth had not been told, and some of us were under the impression that something we had been told on here, was true. That turned out NOT to be the case. Anyway, that started me thinking about complete honesty. How honest should we be with others if any given situation comes up, and you know the entire truth, and others should know that truth also, but you keep part of the truth hidden to protect someone? Do you keep the truth hidden, and let others believe something totally opposite of what you know to be the absolute truth about that situation? Do you speak up, or stay quiet? Do you tell the truth or betray a friend's confidence?

This thread is NOT directed at anyone involved in the incident I spoke of earlier. I'm aiming it at everyone here. Is it ever okay to not completely tell the absolute truth of something, or should we be, at certain times, "selectively honest" in order to protect someone's safety, reputation and welfare? No matter what the situation might be?

My input:
Truth sets free.
Truth triumphs over my feelings and opinions.
Silence is consent.
Christians are a family.
Go to your brother. If does not hear thee, then take witness.
Try to resolve issues in a spirit of meekness and fear.
Don't hold grudges.
Don't take sides.
Don't get caught in the middle.
Be a uniter not a divider.
Don't gossip.
Encourage others to do what is right: be truthful.
Have I become your enemy because I tell the truth?

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiples kisses. Proverbs 27:6

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so does the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. Proverbs 27:9

 

[atwhatcost]

By examples given:

1. If I said "Someone in this family abused me" and no one was in the room but my family, everyone, except one person, would instantly look at the right person. (Even Dad would know and he literally doesn't know much anymore.) The right person would be glaring at me.

If it was an outsider, I just tell them to stop gossiping because they have no idea what happened and with whom. It was also not their business to know.

2. If I saw the friend stashing something in my other friend's purse, my response would be, "What in the world are you doing?" If I lose that friendship? Okay. Good, because why do I want a friend whose going to do that to his/her friend anyway?

3. Ummm, why am I tainting drugs?
Okay, going to go with this was doing something underhanded that could cause others problems anyway. (Like your second example.) Even back in the days when I had the common sense of CP3O (none lol), I still wouldn't do anything that could possibly hurt someone else. Maybe emotional hurt someone, but never anything that could physically cause damage or death.

I was dumb enough to notice all my friends could drive stoned, so I should be able to, but the two times I tried, I didn't get more than 20 feet before stopping. (Sure, one time I almost hit the wide side of an apartment building, but it was still only 20 feet from where I started, and I slammed on the brakes. Put the car into park, got out, and called back, "Okay. Somebody else drive now," as I squished into the back seat.) The other time, I lit the dube on the near end of a pullover area in the road. And by the time I was starting to pull out, it hit me, so I took a nap until it wore off. (Six hour drive suddenly turned into a nine hour drive too. lol)

One of the things that probably saved a life or two was I was so committed to making sure people didn't get hurt, I was usually the designated driver, back in the days when that was a new concept. (Mid 70's.) It wasn't as noble as it sounds. We had already lost a friend through DUI, and my roommate borrowed my car one night, got so drunk she doesn't remember the rest of the story, my car had a large dent in the front bumper ('67 Mustang, so fully metal bumper too), and I would have never learned what happened if the cops hadn't brought her home, left my car where they pulled her over, (fortunately, mere blocks from our apartment), and she just happened to be telling her mystery to her passenger. (She had no memory she was driving someone else home. The only memory she had after drinking too much, was shoving my pot from the top of the chest of drawers into it, after waking me up at 4 AM to tell me cops were in our living room to give me back my keys. The friend she was taking home was the one who told her they got pulled over at 1 AM and the cops took her to the station for a breathalyzer test and then booked her. They gave the friend a ride home. I wasn't the only one without common sense back then. lol) And, yes, I can tell this story, because it's 40 years later and that friend understands exactly how lucky she is to be alive.

You know me. I am honest. Because I'm honest, dishonest people tend to avoid me because they know I'm not going to put up with their behavior.

So, want to pick a story closer to relating to what really happened? I'm pretty sure this isn't about shoplifting or tainted drugs, although I suspect it has something to do with something illegal.

Actually it does NOT have anything to do with something illegal, but I can't really give the whole story of what happened, without going against the permission of someone who asked me not to talk about it.

So, taking your response to jsr about "not letting the cat out of the bag", my question is, should we ALWAYS keep the cat in the bag, or know when to let it out? You're always talking about case by case circumstances, so would hiding the truth be better even though it would hurt someone? Or tell the complete truth and let whatever happens, happen? By "hurt someone", I mean like their feelings or reputation. I'm all for honesty, as long as it's used to clear up gossip and rumors or untarnish someone's reputation over a misunderstanding.

And this can apply to any given situation, not just the hypothetical examples I've presented here. Is telling the truth ALWAYS the right thing to do? Or should we treat each situation on a case by case basis, telling this part of the truth, and that part of this lie?

It really is a case by case.

Four scenarios going through my head. I have no idea if any of them are the right scenario though.
1. The one with the secret giver says not to tell. It's that person's feeling and reputation on the line. (A few years ago, I cheated on my wife. I told her and we've reconciled, but I'm the pastor, so I'll be kicked out of my job if anyone finds out.)
Unless you know, really know, nothing has changed. There's no reason to tell this secret. Even if your best friend comes to you and tells you she heard the pastor had an affair, simply ask your friend to stop spreading rumors and don't consider it her business.

2. The secret giver says not to tell. It's someone else's feeling or reputation on the line. (My spouse stole a yacht.)
Yes, the spouse is going to get hurt if this one gets out, but someone had their yacht stolen. I'd try to talk my friend into reporting it to the cops, letting her know I'll stick by her no matter what happens next. If that doesn't work, I'd tell my friend I have to report it, if she doesn't, and I wouldn't give her much time to think it over, knowing she could well tell her spouse next and the evidence disappears.

3. Secret giver says not to tell, but the secret being told is the cause of the hurt and tarnished reputation. (Keep this secret. I stole a yacht.)
Um, no! Not ever. Same battle plan, tell the cops or I will, with a shorter window to tell the cops if she doesn't.

4. The one talked about is being whacked in secret. (Your best friend tells you everyone in church knows the pastor is into child porn. You have no idea if it's true or not.)
I'd tell the friend to shut up and stop spreading rumors. And, even though it really would hurt the pastor, and his wife, I'd let them know. I'd try to talk it out to see if it's true, but not too much, because I tend to think everyone is honest, until otherwise notified, so I wouldn't likely know if it's a lie or not. At least they'd know what they're up against, and there's a fairly good chance the wife will snoop to find out if it is the truth. (Or the hubby, if all along it was the wife into it.) Either way, it's going to hurt, but not quite as much as the grapevine spreading rumors like this. And assuming everyone is honest until otherwise notified, I'd stick by them, unless otherwise notified. I might even stick by the person if it is true, but he/she repents. Truly repents. Might be the wrong call, but they could use all the support they can get.

Did that help at all?

 

[Siberian_Khatru]

Discretion, discretion, discretion. Some people feel inclined to say whatever they please because it's "the truth." It's a matter of discernment, something to each their own.

 

[Galahad]

Blue: this is such a tough question. Not knowing the details (I'm not asking for any) it makes it tough to try and advise. IMO: trust and confidences should never be betrayed unless someone else's life or safety is literally in danger. I actually said this to a friend once who began asking me if I promise to never tell a soul yadda yadda and I could tell this was gonna be a whopper so I told her upfront as long as no one is in danger etc...I would keep her confidence but if I felt...(sure you get the drift).

I believe "every problem has a solution" so my thoughts are if someone is in literal danger than you must act. How I can't tell you without the details. There must be a way to secure safety while minimizing damages. If this is just about gossip or a misunderstanding and someone is getting away with something (I'm sure it isn't or you wouldn't be asking) I would never betray a confidence. I might continue to talk to parties involved to try and convince them to do the right thing.

I feel like this won't be helpful at all...

What you feel is one thing, what is the truth is another.

You've helped. Good thoughts and points made.

 

[oldthennew]

a good thread, Blue,

1COR.16:14.
Let all your things be done with charity.

when we are faced with making moral decisions in our daily walk, to me, this is Christ teaching us
how to build His solid fortress within ourselves, so that we may glorify Him in all truth, this is yet another
test that will set us apart from the world and its burdens.

a great KEY to our Spiritual Growth is learning/discerning WHEN and WHERE and HOW MUCH...
when we can be honest within ourselves, to the degree that we can see true growth and over-coming
old-bad-habits, then we will begin to stand on the Holy Foundation that our Father is teaching us to build-on,
and our witness will follow us wherever He leads.

seeking His Righteousness first is so KEY, and it can only lead us onto His perfect path...

hubby and I always rejoice with those who are truly seeking to be the best they can be for His sake....