June 9
The Freedom
of Truth
“So each of you must get rid of your lying. Speak the truth to your neighbor. We are all parts of one body.”
Ephesians 4:25 (NIrV)
Lincoln had a way of controlling every conversation. At work, he would twist stories to make himself look better, even if it meant bending the truth. At home, he manipulated situations to get his way, leaving his family walking on eggshells. If he forgot to pay a bill, he’d convince his wife it was her oversight. If a project failed at work, he subtly suggested that a coworker had dropped the ball, never taking responsibility himself.
One afternoon at the office, Lincoln’s coworker Zoe approached him, visibly upset. “I heard you told the boss I missed the deadline on the Thompson report,” she said, her voice trembling. “But that’s not true—I sent it to you to review.”
Lincoln felt the heat rising in his chest. He knew Zoe was right. The truth was, he had misplaced her email and didn’t want to admit it. “Zoe, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replied, shrugging. “Maybe you should check your sent folder.”
As Zoe walked away, Lincoln felt a pang of guilt. He had lied again. But the guilt quickly morphed into frustration. “Why does everyone make such a big deal out of these things?” he muttered under his breath.
That evening, Lincoln’s wife confronted him. “Why do you always have to twist things, Lincoln? You’re not just hurting other people—you’re hurting yourself. Can’t you see that?” Her words stung. Lincoln laughed it off, but inside, he felt a deep unease.
The next Sunday, Lincoln found himself in church, listening to a sermon on Ephesians 4:25: “So each of you must get rid of your lying. Speak the truth to your neighbor. We are all parts of one body.” The pastor explained how dishonesty doesn’t just harm others—it creates division, erodes trust, and ultimately isolates us from God’s love and grace.
For the first time, Lincoln saw himself clearly. He wasn’t controlling situations; he was sabotaging relationships. His lies had built walls between him and the people he cared about, and he realized those walls were starting to collapse.
That night, Lincoln prayed for the first time in years. “God, I don’t want to keep living like this. I’m tired of lying, manipulating, and hurting people. Please help me speak the truth, even when it’s hard. Show me how to change.”
The next day, Lincoln pulled Zoe aside. “I owe you an apology,” he said, his voice steady but nervous. “I lied about the report. I messed up, and I’m sorry.” Zoe looked surprised but nodded, her face softening. “Thanks for telling me, Lincoln. I appreciate it.”
Over time, Lincoln began to notice the power of truth. It didn’t always make things easier, but it brought a sense of peace he hadn’t felt in years. He stopped blaming others and started taking responsibility. Slowly, the people around him began to trust him again, and Lincoln discovered that honesty was the foundation for the relationships he had longed for all along.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for being a God of truth.
Like Lincoln, we often struggle with honesty and fall into the trap of manipulation and blame.
Please forgive us for the times we’ve hurt others through our words and actions.
Teach us to value truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Help us rebuild trust with those we’ve wronged and live in a way that reflects Your love and grace.
Lord, guide us to speak the truth in love and to seek unity with those around us.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
