Is there a line when being honest?

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Lately I have repeatedly been put in situations where I am asked about things that have happened at work or what other employees have done. I was raised to be an honest person and obviously feel the Lord wants me to continue to be. My honesty has gotten me into some pretty difficult situations recently.

I have to wonder in the work place especially, what is the line of being honest?

I understand if someone asks me a question about something that has taken place or another employee’s behavior, I will tell him or her what I know or feel and that's being honest.

What if things aren’t being done correctly? Procedures and even laws aren’t being followed? Is it my place to say something or should I just let it go? What do you guys think? Have you been in this situation?
 
I'm afraid that what I am going to tell you might not seem very helpful. I do think it's true, though.

Pray about it. Everything is a case-by-case basis. If you're directly confronted about something, I think there are very few (if any) circumstances when you shouldn't be completely straightforward. When it comes to "whistle-blowing" however, it really is a case-by-case thing. God alone can balance the love for one person with the love for many. We are not bound by human law, but that doesn't mean we should spit on it. Ask God what to do, seek His will, then you truly act out of love.
 
As someone who has had to experience situations where your very SAFETY is at stake for answering honestly, I can say seek God. One can be honest without being harsh. Truth tempered with love, mercy, and grace. Granted, what I'm about to say is MUCH easier said than done. As Christians, to compromise on the truth is to be disobedient to God. As an example, think of the story of the death of Absalom in 2 Samuel 18. The truth isn't what we always want to hear, or tell others, but true love rejoices in the truth.

As far as when others are doing wrong, society says we are a tattle tale or "whistle blower". Do we love others by continuing to allow them to do wrong?

Just my opinion, of course.
 
I'm dealing with exactly that at work. its HORRIBLE, but all i say is what is asked of me and what i saw, not heard from some other source. if its breaking the rules, i guess if depends on what ruleis being broken and how. the other day a co-worker of mine borrowed some things from work and took them home to use and brought them back. hes a good person and i know he would never steal anything so whats the point of getting him into trouble for that? but if its something that needs to be brought to attention then someone has to do it. if you're worried about beins targeted then leave a note or something. but for the most part i feel like work is work and things happen, no need to put all my emotions into it like they're family and i'm stuck with them.
 
Nobody likes a weasel.
If "honesty" means getting someone fired, then you must live with it. It also depends on what reason.

An employee stealing office supply is not worth exposing.
An employee harassing another is.

It all depends.
 
God calls us to not lie, I feel that anything short of this is just caving to the worlds expectations. However, there are ways to do things, if you don't feel comfortable answering a question, simply say it and don't answer it, or perhaps answer with something similar but truthful.

For example if you were asked if anyone has been taking stuff home from work, you could maybe answer with, I don't know anyone who has stolen anything from work.
 
keep_on_smiling said:
Lately I have repeatedly been put in situations where I am asked about things that have happened at work or what other employees have done. I was raised to be an honest person and obviously feel the Lord wants me to continue to be. My honesty has gotten me into some pretty difficult situations recently.

I have to wonder in the work place especially, what is the line of being honest?

I understand if someone asks me a question about something that has taken place or another employee’s behavior, I will tell him or her what I know or feel and that's being honest.

What if things aren’t being done correctly? Procedures and even laws aren’t being followed? Is it my place to say something or should I just let it go? What do you guys think? Have you been in this situation?
Click to expand...

Yes, the corporate work environment can be tough, I worked in a christian corporate environment a few years ago and it was tough too. But, if you are working for government or another secular non-christian entity, it is VERY tough unless....

God has you there. And, obviously, if, as lightnin' said, you have prayed about it all, and, I know your heart's for God 1 zilltrill%, smileON, so I don't worry of that being having been done. Were there too many 'beings' or 'beens' just now then there :D

But, yeah, go to God, daily, and, just wrap your arms around Him in prayer and listen, be still, and, work VERY hard on understanding why you are where you are now, as, it is stressing you now. Remember, too, the Enemy, that snake, Satancalafragalisiticexpeealiatemptuous, will be RIGHT on you for starting to feel guilty about honesty in the workplace if it's a spiritual issue.

That there, IF it's a spiritual issue that is something not just unethical but against God's ways then your conscience will be talked to by God, His Holy Spirit inside you, right, milady? :)

Anyway, praying for you, and, also I read your prayer request awhile back, I been there being just then there now and before a few times when its been on my minds (we green guys got many layers of greenedness in there, you know, not entirely a good thing I'll have ya know :D ).

And, right now, Dear Lord....Amen. See, smileON, just like that, prayer changes things, so do words....

Let the Lord lead you, He is the ONLY one who will NEVER let you down nor let you go. He will let you physically down or something may not turn out like you want but that is NOT Him letting you 'down' in Spirit and guilting you, God's plans for you are good and futuristic great, no evil in 'em, and, no hopeless feelings in them either. None ! :)

So just keep that smile on and God bless you in all you do to help others , God sees it, and, He will bless you, keep you, protect you for it, always, all ways / And, I hope to you had fun with grandma and great grandma the other day as you said in my 'grandma and me' thread you did, maybe you want to report what you did, quilting, board games, just talking, remember, too, their is wise SAGE advice in grandma and grandpa and uncles and aunts in things of this presented thread by you. Honest :)
 
Christ is our example of how to live in this world. I seem to remember when He was asked tough questions, He responded with the truth, a parable, a passage from the Old Testament or no response. Remember, Jesus is perfect we are not. Praying for the gifts of the Holy Spirit seems a wise choice. Paul speaks of the gifts in one of his letters to the Corinthians? It is worth looking up and reading.

Remember, paraphrasing, please forgive, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"? Jesus Christ is without sin. He did not cast a stone so they left, all of them. Just a little different way of looking at that passage. God Bless!
 
nw2u said:
Christ is our example of how to live in this world. I seem to remember when He was asked tough questions, He responded with the truth, a parable, a passage from the Old Testament or no response. Remember, Jesus is perfect we are not. Praying for the gifts of the Holy Spirit seems a wise choice. Paul speaks of the gifts in one of his letters to the Corinthians? It is worth looking up and reading.

Remember, paraphrasing, please forgive, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"? Jesus Christ is without sin. He did not cast a stone so they left, all of them. Just a little different way of looking at that passage. God Bless!
Click to expand...

I wonder, now, got me thinking about what Jesus wrote in the sand after Mary Magdalene sinned and Jesus had said what you say above, 'He who is without sin cast the first stone.'

This was a thread by stilledwater, a bit back, but, hmmm, I wonder if Jesus wrote....

'I am without sin' in the sand :)

And, yes, thanks, newtoyou, good insight on that passage in scripture.

The Truth is perfect to use in talkiing to others, it is the only true truth. :)
 
No, there's no line, but when telling the truth always tell it with love and gentleness. "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:15 The trick is discovering the best way to love a person with gentleness while telling the truth.
 
Thank you all very much for your advice. :) I appreciate it a lot and get what you are all saying.

It's a tough situation, but I know the Lord has a purpose in everything. As I said before, I always tell the truth when someone asks me something, however I try to say it as nicely as I can. Things get a little blurred because I work within a school and children are involved as well as the state.

Lightning, sometimes hearing others thoughts can be one of the most helpful things. Confirmation in what you feel the Lord is showing you is always nice. So thank you :)

Green, I always love reading your posts, no matter what they are about. Thank you very much for both the advice and prayers :) I will let you know what Grandma and I did :)

I love all the scriptures and examples. You all have me thinking and I truly will give these situations to the Lord . I'm always praying about them. For awhile I wondered if I were doing something wrong or if the Lord was testing me in being honest because the amount of situations in the last few months have been incredible. I'm not sure why they have taken place, but I guess I don't really need to know. It shouldn't surprise me as to how much darkness we are surrounded by in these days.
 
nw2u said:
Christ is our example of how to live in this world. I seem to remember when He was asked tough questions, He responded with the truth, a parable, a passage from the Old Testament or no response. Remember, Jesus is perfect we are not. Praying for the gifts of the Holy Spirit seems a wise choice. Paul speaks of the gifts in one of his letters to the Corinthians? It is worth looking up and reading.

Remember, paraphrasing, please forgive, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"? Jesus Christ is without sin. He did not cast a stone so they left, all of them. Just a little different way of looking at that passage. God Bless!
Click to expand...

I will certainly pray about that and do some reading :) Thank you! I hadn't ever looked at that passage that way, but it's certainly interesting and makes me think a lot. I will be praying about.
 
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