THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE

THE  TRUTH  WILL  SET  YOU  FREE

In chapter 16 verse 10 of Luke in the Bible it is said that "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." It is just one of the passages in the bible that instructs us to be honest. Maybe you’ve heard the saying that “honesty is the best policy”. Many people are having a hard time to remain honest at all times because of situations that require dishonesty. So for us to be guided and be reminded on how to be truthful, let’s check some of this practical ways.

Know how dishonesty works. Most of us learned to be dishonest as children. The process mostly began with the realization that different behaviors result in different outcomes. For instance, saying certain things (or not saying certain things) garnered desirable approval and praise, or the undesirable disapproval and censure, if not punishment. Indulgence in dishonest behavior to get desired results was just a small step away. With time the thought processes behind such actions get so entrenched in our subconscious mind that one is not even aware of them. A time comes when one loses the capacity to know when and where to draw the line and how negatively does dishonesty affect our lives.

Take responsibility. If you feel guilty for having been dishonest in the past, apologize to the person you lied to and/or find a creative way to make things right.

Know your weaknesses. Examine yourself and write it down. It may be as simple as a tendency to make up excuses for failures, or as complicated as a penchant for stealing. Remember that dishonesty is rooted in fear, so you must look for and face those fears. By listing areas where you have a problem, and then working to deal with them, you can consciously battle these habits. If you find yourself lying because you fear disapproval from someone, for example, perhaps you need to learn how to stop being a people pleaser and be yourself. Most importantly, admit your errors so that you can forgive yourself and use those experiences to reinforce your determination to do better. You can't fix what you don't acknowledge as a problem.

Prioritize honesty. Exercise yourself to think honestly. Start practicing being honest on simple things like when you’re telling story, don’t add untruthful words to the story that you are telling. By applying honesty to the little things, you will get in the habit of being honest in general.

Remember that being honest isn't easy. At its core, being honest is difficult because it makes us vulnerable. It shows people who we really are and that we make mistakes, which give them a chance to criticize and reject in a more hurtful way than if we'd hidden the truth or lied to begin with. And sometimes, the truth just hurts. But, honesty develops character, as well as credibility and trust, all of which are the building blocks of high self-esteem and healthy relationships. Being honest isn't a goal that you check off a list—it's an ongoing process that will both challenge and benefit you throughout your life. Nothing is as liberating as having nothing to hide.

Being honest will always depend on you. Always be sensitive on how and what you act.