Exodus 20:16 says “Do not testify falsely against your neighbor.” Fact: Humans don’t always tell the truth. Do we know how to tell the truth? Of course we do, but sometimes the truth escapes us unfortunately. How can we tell the truth?

Notes:
Exodus 20:16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor."

•   Survey Said 66% Of Americans Say It's Not Wrong To Tell Lies.  
•  Only 31% Agreed W/ Statement, "Honesty Is The Best Policy." 
•  Dr. Leonard Keeler (Inventor Of Lie Detector) Has Tested 25K People & Has Come To Conclusion Human Beings Are Basically Deceptive.  How Can We Be Honest In A Dishonest World?  

 HOW TO TELL THE TRUTH

1.  TELL THE TRUTH COMPLETELY
Proverbs 10:10  "Someone who holds back the truth [Concealing] causes trouble."   
What Kind Of Trouble?  Employer / Teacher / Spouse...
Couples That Hold Back Truth and Sweep Issues Under Carpet Are Headed For Trouble.   

Proverbs 28:23  "In the end people appreciate frankness more than flattery." 
Telling the truth may be unpleasant at first.  For instance if an employee is goofing off on the job and you have to reprimand or fire them, they may not appreciate what happens, but it may help the to c their character in the long run.

 2.  TELL THE TRUTH CONSISTENTLY
Being Honest 80% Of The Time Is NOT Integrity

Proverbs 11:3  "People who can't be trusted are destroyed by their own dishonesty."
Lying Destroys relationships.  Every relationship is built on one thing-- TRUST!
If you destroy trust, you destroy the relationship.

Proverbs 13:7  "Reliable communication permits progress."   
When a couple has dealt with the same old problems for years and there's no progress, it's because someone is not being honest.

3.  TELL THE TRUTH LOVINGLY
Ephesians 4:15 "Speak the truth in a spirit of LOVE."  DON'T use the truth as a club!

REMEMBER TWO THINGS:
  1. People change faster when you speak the truth in a spirit of love.  
  2.  People perceive truth without love as an attack.  It doesn't matter whether what you’re saying is the truth, they are certain to resist it. 

  Old Arab Proverb:  when you shoot an arrow dip it in honey first.
 
4.  TELL THE TRUTH TACTFULLY – There is a right time, place or way to have the conversation. It’s not at midnight right before you go to bed!  Remember Proverbs 12:18 "Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword.  But wisely spoken words can heal."
 
You have an option in how you use your words:  you can hurt or heal; develop or destroy.  Words have Power.  Remember the rhyme "Sticks & Stones..."
 
 Proverbs 16:23 "Intelligent people THINK before they SPEAK." 
 
 WHY DO WE LIE? 
 
 FIVE TYPES OF LIES / MOTIVES: 
 1. THE CRUEL LIE
  this is the kind of lie that is intentionally destructive / malicious / revenge.
  Somebody hurt you so you make up a lie about them.
  The Sadducees did this to Jesus. They called him a “drunkard who associates with sinners!”
 
  Motive?  Jealousy, revenge, hurt, anger, hate, resentment.
 
  2.  THE COWARDLY LIE
The cowardly lie is usually told to escape consequences or avoid punishment. "MY DOG ATE MY HOMEWORK."   Adam in the Garden of Eden used this tact because he was afraid.

3.  THE CONCEITED LIE
The conceited lie is usually told in order to impress.   Bragging and lying are cousins. 
Motive?  Insecurity. What comes off