my soap journal

Scripture:

Proverbs 24:26 “It is an honor to receive an honest reply.”

Observation:

This subject continues to crop up.  It’s hard for me to think of what it is that I give if it’s not “honest” … am I dishonest?  Perhaps a good way to check whether “honest” is good is whether it is edifying – is what I hesitate to say going to build up a person, or tear them down.  Sometimes that hesitancy comes from wondering whether a person would care, or perhaps whether I care.  That hesitancy is also developed through concern (not from God) about how that person will then feel about me.

Application:

I think I ought to pause more before responding, and be more thoughtful in my reply.  I don’t think “honest” is always “complete” – there are certainly truths that could be told that would result in discouragement rather than edification.  Delivering lies from the side of my mouth does no good to the people I interact with, and it’s certainly no good for my soul.  In addition to this, I don’t think this is a unique struggle to me – I need to be more intentional about seeking honest replies.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for truth.  I submit my responses to you – help me hear what you would say, and then say it.