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Most of us wouldn’t consider ourselves the kind of people who readily lie. We wouldn’t label ourselves a liar. But maybe we need to be willing to dig a little deeper. Are you someone who buries your feelings? Denies your anger? Pushes your own pain down to avoid having to confront the source of it? Acts like they’re fine when they’re really not? Well, these are all forms of dishonesty, both with ourselves and others. When we’re struggling with someone else—a neighbor in Christ—and choose to behave as though we’re not, we’re not only hurting ourselves, we’re hurting the body of Christ as whole.

That’s why one of the best things we can do for the body of Christ is to learn to be honest in conflict. When we manage our conflicts with clear and truthful communication for the sake of healing, we’ll be choosing what’s best for us, for our relationships, and ultimately, the body of Christ. Take this as a challenge for this week! Ask God to help you see where you’re holding back or being less-than-honest with your words. Then, pray for boldness to be truthful in conflict. Ask God to give you the courage to be honest for the sake of yourself, the other person, and the body of Christ.