In this life (be) honest.

Honesty starts with open dialogue with God about your struggles.  Transparent like clear water are honest prayers in the sight of God. They are refreshing in every way.  

An honest life shows respect for God; a degenerate life is a slap in his face. (Proverbs 14:2 MSG)

Get honest with God about your life. 

Live consciously in full view of Him.  He will be the first the share your celebrations and the closest friend in your darkest struggle.  Go to him before you go to anyone else.

God won’t  shun the struggle you have with your humanity.  His help is for real. His store of wisdom is open.  His word a rich supply.

He calls you friend.  He will lead you to others who will be open and helpful to your struggle.

The person who shuns the bitter moments of friends will be an outsider at their celebrations. (Proverbs 14: 10 MSG)

Jesus made us insiders within the family of God.  We are included welcomed and listened to by God our Father.  So let us live honest and open lives family! 

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1, 2 ESV)

That leads us to number 2.

An honest answer is a sign of true friendship. (Proverbs 24:26 GNTD)

Don’t give evidence against others without good reason, or say misleading things about them. Don’t say, “I’ll do to them just what they did to me! I’ll get even with them!” (Proverbs 24:28, 29 ERV)

Honesty is of tremendous benefit in a friend.  Not the brutal retaliation speech like that of a cutting blunt word for word boxing match.  No “payback” honesty as is the habit of some, but rather honest gentle words spoken to discern truth.  This is the right kind of honesty.  Yes, clear truth spoken helps bear the burden of another and discern a right course of action. People who are honest in this way are extremely valuable friends.  

A verse to guide the rudder of your tongue in conversation:

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)

So you have to have that difficult conversation with someone? 

Guard your tongue from profanity, and no more lying through your teeth. (Psalm 34:13 MSG)

Get real without trash talking.  Communicate to understand rather than confirm your assumptions.  Resist the urge to paint their motives dark and judge them before they speak.

You know how valuable this can be if you have had a harsh conversation.  

Job experiences some harsh conversations with those closest to him, his friends.  He clearly says how you can tell when you have been in one.

Is there wrong on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern what is destructive? (Job 6:30 AMP)

The taste is sour, foul, and unsettling from those hashed out boxing matches.

Let your truth-telling not destroy.

Do not add salt to a wound.  Your mouth can bring healing or bring assault. Choose wisely.

With our tongues we praise our Lord and Father. With our tongues we call down curses on people. We do it even though they have been created to be like God. Praise and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, it shouldn’t be that way. Can fresh water and salt water flow out of the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives? Can a grapevine bear figs? Of course not. And a saltwater spring can’t produce fresh water either. (James 3:9-12 NIRV)