Talk Straight: Speaking Truth with Integrity
A Green Letter Devotion
"Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’" - Matthew 5:37 (ESV)
"Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." — Ephesians 4:25 (ESV)
What we say is often twisted to serve personal agendas, to give just enough information, to not say too much. But when we do speak,
God calls us to talk straight
God calls us to be honest, transparent, and say what we mean. Integrity in speech is not just about avoiding lies but also about refusing to manipulate, spin, or mislead. True trust is built on truthfulness.
Jesus modeled this perfectly. He never used words to manipulate or deceive but spoke with clarity and love. His teachings were many times in parables, but direct, yet they never lacked grace. When He said, "Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’" (Matthew 5:37), He was urging us to live in a way where our words carry weight and our actions align with them.
The counterfeit of talking straight is distortion—flattery that seeks personal gain, half-truths that mislead, or silence that allows deception to stand unchallenged. Proverbs 12:22 reminds us, "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are His delight."
Talking Straight and the additional Speed of Trust behaviors create credibility, increase efficiency, and foster collaboration. Entrepreneurs who embody them build trust within teams, organizations, and clients. Avoiding the counterfeit behaviors prevents erosion of trust over time.
Today, let’s examine our words.
Do they reflect the character of Christ? Are we clear, honest, and trustworthy in our conversations? Ask God to give You the courage to speak truthfully, even when it’s uncomfortable. When we talk straight, we reflect His nature, build trust, and strengthen the relationships around us.
Heavenly Father, You are the God of truth, and in You, there is no falsehood. I come before You today, asking that You shape my heart and my words to reflect Your holiness. Help me to put away all falsehood and deceit, that I may speak truthfully with my in all I do, including my work, knowing that we are members of one another.(Ephesians 4:25).
Lord, I desire to be continuously faithful in my words, for I know that lying lips are an abomination to You, but those who act faithfully are Your delight (Proverbs 12:22). Guard my tongue against manipulation, exaggeration, or any form of deception. Let my 'Yes' be yes and my 'No' be no, that I may walk in honesty and integrity before You and others (Matthew 5:37).
Father, I put off the old self with its practices of deceit and dishonesty, and I ask that You clothe me with the new self, renewed in Christ’s righteousness (Colossians 3:9). Teach me to walk blamelessly, to do what is right, and to speak truth from my heart so that I may dwell in Your presence (Psalm 15:1-2).
Lord, let me be a peacemaker, one who speaks truth in love and renders just and fair judgments in my interactions with others (Zechariah 8:16). May my words build trust, strengthen relationships, and bring glory to Your name.
In Jesus name, Amen
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Note: Stephen M. R. Cover gives us 13 Behaviors and their counterfeits in The Speed of Trust: Covey, Stephen M. R. The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything. Free Press, 2006