They say, “More is caught than taught.”
People are shaped by a stream of ideas, examples, words, and influences… often without recognizing it.
Shared values pour into common language and empower patterns of behavior. These shared values and patterns of behavior are what we often call “culture.”
Like a wave on a seashore or droplets in a stream, a culture is the accumulation of small choices. Small drops of culture coalesce to form a powerful current that shapes families, communities, organizations, and institutions.
The future is “downstream” of the droplets we make today. Our culture will shape how our various groups carry on, develop, or change course over generations.
Shaping a culture, shapes the future.
What shapes a culture? Words. I’m not sure anything shapes a culture more than words.
This makes honest communication one of the most important aspects of the life of our church.
Honesty is central to the character, life, and mission of God’s people.
I’m not simply talking about an honest-Abe fables about “never telling a lie.”
Honest communication is an expression of trust–Trusting God’s Word and God’s People.
First, Honest believers trust the Word enough to speak the truth plainly.
The Lord Jesus spoke with clarity from the conviction that those with ears to hear would hear. He knew the Word would bear fruit. Paul committed to proclaim Christ plainly without any tricks or edits (2 Cor 4:1–6). Believers that are confident in the Word of God enjoy freedom to talk about the Word plainly and communicate it clearly.
Our culture is toxically focused on speaking “my truth” boldly. Christ’s people should reject this mutation of virtue– “a fool utters all his mind.”
We don’t need to abandon plain speech, we need to focus on speaking God’s Words rather than our own ideas.
Second, Honest believers trust each other enough to live in reality.
Believers live in the world as God knows it to be. Believers present themselves to others as God knows them to be.
Honest believers do not present facades or hide flaws. Rather, believers embrace the risk of honesty, vulnerability, that allows others to see where they struggle and know where they are weak. Honest believers serve together as people who all have needs–dispelling the lies that allow only some to be in need.
Our culture wanders from this in both directions. Some celebrate every flaw without embarrassment–seeking to make their vices into virtue. Others project images of untarnished strength or filter out any wrinkle of weakness.
In Christ, believers can aspire to obey the Lord and walk worthy of their calling while being honest enough to receive mercy and help when they fail.
Instead of hedging our bets on what we can show people and constantly managing the opinions of others about us, we can bet on the Spirit of Christ in other believers and be honest about our strengths, weaknesses, desires, and discouragements.
We want to live among people who are honest about the Word and honest about themselves. Culture is like a river… are you going to add droplets of honesty to the current today?
Talk plainly about how God’s Word applies to your life with someone today. Talk humbly about what you’re going through today and where you are struggling today.