Honest

DEVOTION
JAMES
HONEST
James 5:12
12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear — not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.
NIV
If telling stories that include fabrications are part of my life, and everyone knows I am a prevaricator, than when I really want them to believe I am being truthful I have to swear I am telling the truth. That is what this is all about. So I must ask myself if I stray from the truth on occasion. I have to be careful with this answer; it would do no good not to be honest with my own self. Maybe this it is even more critical to be honest with self than with others. To be able to admit to myself I have faults and failures is the first step in letting my yes be yes and no be no. If I were to go around telling everyone I do not have any sin, I first would be lying to myself. I think if I were to lie to myself often enough I would begin to believe it as truth. I think that is true in conversations with others as well. I think that is the case in these words. A lifestyle of not being truthful discredits any truth spoken. Sometimes I wonder about some of the illustrations certain preachers use. It appears to me they are so perfect for the sermon, they have to be a fabrication. I am sure I am wrong about that, but I think that does follow this point. The truth must be spoken, A life of truthfulness must be above all else otherwise the truth is diluted when it is spoken. I will make every effort to be as truthful as I possible. Is that a cop out, as possible? Does that leave wiggle room? If my yes is yes and my no is no then I cannot leave any room for maybe. Why would I not be honest? I think to avoid unpleasant situations could be a reason. I think staving off ridicule would be another reason I would be tempted to stray from the truth. I must be careful, diligent at all times, keeping before me the words of my Lord. I would not want his truth to be harmed by any of my non-truth. Honesty is the best policy.