It’s Good to Be Honest

Nothing reveals our true character like the words that pour out of our mouths, because they come from the depths of our souls, according to Luke 6:45: “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Full of ugly? Out comes ugly. Full of truth? Out comes truth.

Sheba’s first recorded words are an honest confession, spoken directly to King Solomon. She could have kept her niggling doubts about his great wealth and wisdom to herself. Or written them in her personal chronicles. Or shared them in a letter to a trustworthy confidant in her home country.

But Sheba was a truth teller, as we read in 1 Kings 10:6: “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true.” So far, so good. Then she explains in 1 Kings 10:7, “But I did not believe these things.”

There are other ways she might have worded this and not risked Solomon’s disapproval. But Sheba shelved her pride, ditched her embarrassment, and spoke the truth, holding nothing back.

This is what we need to learn from her.

In Job 6:25 we read, “How painful are honest words!” It’s especially painful to say them aloud. “I was wrong.” “I didn’t believe.” By God’s design our mistakes are meant to humble us—and they usually succeed.

If pride is at the root of all our sin, then buried beneath that pride is often deep-seated fear. When we fail in a big way, people might not trust our judgment at first or might treat us differently for a season. But in time honesty and humility will soften their hearts. They will learn from our example and, if they are brave, will follow in our footsteps.

God is still shaping us into the image of His Son, a process that continues until the moment we step into His heavenly presence. We see only our faults. God sees only His forgiveness, poured out like one of Sheba’s fragrant oils—refreshing, soothing, cleansing, healing.

When you need to confess a difficult truth, especially if you’re uncertain how others might respond, how do you prepare yourself?

Do you pray in advance? Practice what you’re going to say? Consider all the ramifications? Have a mental list of excuses ready?

How might the queen of Sheba’s style of speaking the truth serve as a worthy example?