{"id":3230,"date":"2020-01-14T14:59:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-14T14:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/2020\/01\/14\/loving-the-truth-creating-a-legacy-of-integrity-and-trust\/"},"modified":"2023-06-02T07:08:49","modified_gmt":"2023-06-02T05:08:49","slug":"loving-the-truth-creating-a-legacy-of-integrity-and-trust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/loving-the-truth-creating-a-legacy-of-integrity-and-trust\/","title":{"rendered":"Loving the Truth: Creating a Legacy of Integrity and Trust"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><\/p>\n<center>\n  <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"980\" height=\"668\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/A-Legacy-of-Truth-2-980x668-2.jpg?resize=980%2C668&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/A-Legacy-of-Truth-2-980x668-2.jpg 980w, https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/A-Legacy-of-Truth-2-980x668-2-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/A-Legacy-of-Truth-2-980x668-2-768x523.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 980px) 100vw, 980px\">\n<\/center>\n<p><\/p>\n<p> Being truthful\u2014I mean, <em> really <\/em> truthful\u2014in any and every situation is <em> hard <\/em> . <\/p>\n<p> Of course, Jesus did it and, as his image bearers, so should we. <\/p>\n<p> But speaking the truth also got Jesus killed, so is it any wonder we sometimes have a love-hate relationship with embracing truth? <\/p>\n<p> Because of our sinful natures, our default is to run from the light (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=John+3%3A19&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">John 3:19<\/a>). In the West, we are continuously bombarded with direct and indirect messages from the media, family, friends, and coworkers to conform to the world and resist being absolutely honest. <\/p>\n<p> And there\u2019s always a \u201cgood\u201d reason for fudging the truth: <\/p>\n<ul>\n  <li> \u201cIt\u2019s not that important.\u201d <\/li>\n  <li> \u201cIt\u2019s not the right time.\u201d <\/li>\n  <li> \u201cI don\u2019t want to hurt their feelings.\u201d <\/li>\n  <li> \u201cThey\u2019re too young [or too old] to understand.\u201d <\/li>\n  <li> \u201cI should be able to handle this myself.\u201d <\/li>\n  <li> \u201cI\u2019m afraid they\u2019ll be mad [or sad].\u201d <\/li>\n  <li> \u201cI feel dumb, foolish or embarrassed.\u201d <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> But the reality is we can\u2019t have a healthy relationship with <em> anyone <\/em> without trust. And trust is built on truth. We can make all the excuses we want for why we didn\u2019t say \u201cit\u201d, but the reason we don\u2019t speak the truth is quite simply because we are\u2014every last one of us\u2014selfish and prideful (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Romans+3%3A23&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Romans 3:23<\/a>). Too often, we\u2019re more concerned about protecting our image than we are about being obedient to God regardless of the consequences. <\/p>\n<p><b>Choosing sides<\/b><\/p>\n<p> There are people called <em> epistemologists <\/em> who make a living defining truth. They write volumes (or lengthy webpages) about it. They say it\u2019s elusive and subjective because they don\u2019t want to choose a side: It\u2019s light or it\u2019s dark, it\u2019s black or it\u2019s white, it\u2019s good or it\u2019s evil. Which essentially means us admitting <em> we\u2019re <\/em> light or dark, black or white, good or evil. Instead, we want to be politically correct and live in the gray space between black and white. We want to be Switzerland. <\/p>\n<p> But Jesus didn\u2019t live life in the gray. He <em> was <\/em> and <em> is <\/em> the Truth, absolute honesty and integrity. He challenges everyone to choose a side when he said: \u201cNo one comes to the Father except through me\u201d (John 14:6) and when he told Pilate, \u201cEveryone on the side of truth listens to me\u201d (John 18:37). <\/p>\n<p> To Jesus, the math is simple. <\/p>\n<p>\n  <i>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/hopeforspouses.com\/loving-the-truth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more&#8230;<\/a>\n  <\/i>\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  <i> About the author: Kim is the founder of <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/hopeforspouses.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n    <i>Hope for Spouses<\/i><\/a><i>, a program that helps spouses find healing in the wake of adultery or sexual addiction. <\/i>\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Being truthful\u2014I mean, really truthful\u2014in any and every situation is hard. Of course, Jesus did it and, as his image&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":3231,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ghostkit_customizer_options":"","ghostkit_custom_css":"","ghostkit_custom_js_head":"","ghostkit_custom_js_foot":"","ghostkit_typography":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"post_folder":[151],"class_list":["post-3230","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-womens-ministry"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/A-Legacy-of-Truth-2-980x668-1.jpg?fit=980%2C668&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"dtadmin","author_link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/author\/dtadmin\/"},"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phsvEw-Q6","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":31472,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/embracing-divine-tension-to-judge-or-not-to-judge\/","url_meta":{"origin":3230,"position":0},"title":"Embracing Divine Tension: To Judge or Not to Judge? \u2013 Part 11","author":"Sunday Awolowo","date":"October 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"At first glance, Jesus' comments about judgment seem contradictory. Don't judge. Judge correctly. Which is it?","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Bible Study&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Bible Study","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/bible-study\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image.jpg?fit=1200%2C654&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image.jpg?fit=1200%2C654&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image.jpg?fit=1200%2C654&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image.jpg?fit=1200%2C654&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image.jpg?fit=1200%2C654&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3622,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/grace-and-truth\/","url_meta":{"origin":3230,"position":1},"title":"Grace and Truth","author":"dtadmin","date":"June 3, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Since the first century, people have been reacting to Jesus and trying to define him by their reactions. Sometimes it\u2019s a wonder people find the real Jesus to follow. The truth of his message strikes a chord in their souls. The grace of his relationships appeals to their hearts. But\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Commentary&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/commentary\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2004\/06\/bird-dove-flight-160.jpg?fit=1200%2C819&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2004\/06\/bird-dove-flight-160.jpg?fit=1200%2C819&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2004\/06\/bird-dove-flight-160.jpg?fit=1200%2C819&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2004\/06\/bird-dove-flight-160.jpg?fit=1200%2C819&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2004\/06\/bird-dove-flight-160.jpg?fit=1200%2C819&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2899,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/speaking-the-truth-about-race\/","url_meta":{"origin":3230,"position":2},"title":"Speaking the Truth About Race","author":"dtadmin","date":"July 27, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The response surrounding the murder of George Floyd has been one of the most surprising things I have seen in my lifetime. Unfortunately, the murder of George Floyd, although shocking, is not surprising, given recent and not so recent incidents. So, the question is, \u201cHow did we get here and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Women's Ministry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Women's Ministry","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/womens-ministry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Ben-Tammi_Barnett_1.jpg?fit=350%2C255&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":30442,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/embracing-divine-tension-in-conflict-part-7\/","url_meta":{"origin":3230,"position":3},"title":"Embracing Divine Tension in Conflict \u2013 Part 7","author":"Sunday Awolowo","date":"June 1, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"In conflict, the principle of divine tension calls us to the narrow path of discernment, refusing to be seduced by partial truths or misplaced empathy.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Bible Study&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Bible Study","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/bible-study\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/divine-tension-in-conflict.png?fit=1200%2C667&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/divine-tension-in-conflict.png?fit=1200%2C667&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/divine-tension-in-conflict.png?fit=1200%2C667&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/divine-tension-in-conflict.png?fit=1200%2C667&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/divine-tension-in-conflict.png?fit=1200%2C667&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":29470,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/divine-tension-embracing-the-fullness-of-gods-truth-part-1\/","url_meta":{"origin":3230,"position":4},"title":"Divine Tension: Embracing the Fullness of God\u2019s Truth &#8211; Part 1","author":"Sunday Awolowo","date":"December 15, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Any serious reader of the Bible soon discovers an uncomfortable reality: the fullness of God's truth is often held in tension. We see this in Scripture and in creation.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Bible Study&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Bible Study","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/bible-study\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Renton-Family.jpeg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Renton-Family.jpeg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Renton-Family.jpeg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Renton-Family.jpeg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Renton-Family.jpeg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":30824,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/embracing-divine-tension-disagreement\/","url_meta":{"origin":3230,"position":5},"title":"Embracing Divine Tension in Disagreement \u2013 Part 9","author":"Sunday Awolowo","date":"August 4, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"In the messy arena of human relationships, whether in marriage, the workplace, church family, or online discourse, we constantly feel the pull of opposing forces.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Bible Study&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Bible Study","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/bible-study\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Straw-man-v-steel-man.jpg?fit=1200%2C655&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Straw-man-v-steel-man.jpg?fit=1200%2C655&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Straw-man-v-steel-man.jpg?fit=1200%2C655&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Straw-man-v-steel-man.jpg?fit=1200%2C655&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Straw-man-v-steel-man.jpg?fit=1200%2C655&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/A-Legacy-of-Truth-2-980x668-1.jpg?fit=980%2C668&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3230","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3230"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3230\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3231"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3230"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3230"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3230"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=3230"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}