I was watching a movie and the plot was the same as most movies. The entire plot was based on misunderstanding because no one wants to speak honestly about the problem(s) they are facing. Thus, there was mistrust due to misunderstanding because of lack of knowledge of facts. Then a lot of pain ensues. Finally, everything was resolved because the truth was made known. Why go through all those unnecessary pains when it could be avoided by honest and clear communication?

Why are there difficulties in telling people around you the truth(s)? One of the reasons is “face” – the fear of embarrassment of self. (Incidentally, the Asians are the most affected by this). A person stop-short of speaking because it might cause others to chide you or avoid you. People who are popular are unlikely to say the things that others need to hear. They will say nice and soothing things; but harsh truths are to be avoided. Some times things are not said because the people around you ‘advice’ you not to say. It is not going to be accepted, they say. You will be disliked, they say. Hearing too much of such will make you a man with no views of your own.

The devil thrives on the fact that people do not want to say things truthfully to each other. It uses this fact to cause doubt among each another. Chaos and disunity follow, and the winner is the devil.

We need to speak the truth and nothing but the truth. Be not afraid to do so for it may be painful for a while, but the final result is freedom from misunderstanding and bondage.

We want to be able to communicate in a truthful way but also in a sensitive way. Never want to hide but also never out to hurt others. It is not easy to do so and needs great wisdom. All said, we must also be able to accept truths being told to us. Not accepting truth is also bad. It is good to clarify and to come to grips with the issue than to hide from it.

May the Lord help us to speak the truth and also to accept them accordingly.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我曾观赏一部电影，其中的剧情与大部份的电影相似。整套剧情是讲述人因为不愿意坦诚分享自己所面对的问题而产生误会。于是，缺乏对事实的认知，就造成因为误会而引起的不信任，随即更引发许多的痛楚。最后，当事实被揭露 ，所有的事都化解了。如果事先可以进行坦诚和清晰的沟通，为什么要经历那些不必要的痛苦呢？

对你周围的人坦诚相告为什么是为难的？其中一个原因就是“面子”—害怕自己蒙羞。（顺带说一句，亚洲人受此影响最大。）一个人可能会因为担心别人的责备或疏远就选择沉默不语。公众人物很少会说别人需要听到的事。他们会说好听和委婉的话；但是会避开苛刻的实话。有时候，事情没有被说出来是因为周遭的人“建议”你不要说。他们会说，这将不会被接受。他们也说。你将会不讨喜。听到太多诸如此类的说法会使你变成一个没有主见的人。

魔鬼会挑唆人们不对彼此说诚实话。它利用这个事实在彼此之间造成困惑，接着就有了混乱及分裂，而魔鬼却成了胜利者。

我们必须说实话，没有别的，只有实话。不要害怕如此行，虽然可能会短暂的经历痛楚，但是最终的结果却是从误会及捆绑中重获自由。

我们要以一个坦诚却也敏锐的方式沟通。不要有所隐瞒但也不刻意伤害别人。这并不容易作到，而且需要很大的智慧。总而言之，我们也必须接受别人对我们所说的实话。不接受实话也一样不好。能澄清及处理事情比隐瞒事实更妥当。

愿主帮助我们说诚实的话，同样也能接受实话。

上帝赐福，
在在基督同工的，

Barry Leong