Honor Bright – It’s Important to Tell the Truth Always

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I don’t know when it began in my family. I’ve learned it’s more commonly used in the U.K.

Family memories credit my aunt, but wherever and whenever it began, my family often said, “honor bright” to affirm their word as truth.

We used it as a question and a statement.

Honor Bright

If you questioned the retelling of a narrative, you were likely to ask, “Honor bright?”
And if you were defending your own account, you proclaimed, “Honor bright!”

The Dictionary offers the following meanings: honestly, truthfully, upon my honor; really and truly.

In our family, it was often used as a winsome challenge for tall tales and exaggerations. Just hearing the words “honor bright” makes me smile to this day.

But with or without a declared statement of honesty, why is it important for us to tell the truth always?

Solomon wrote…

Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue, only a moment.

Proverbs 12:19 (CSB)

And…

The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in those who tell the truth.

Proverbs 12:22

How many times have we learned that things we were told were true—weren’t? How often have you seen something online that, when investigated, was written simply for clicks and engagement?

Are we supposed to expect or accept lies and deception as a part of life?

I don’t think so.

Jesus said the following about the enemy of our souls…

For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 8:44 (emphasis mine)

But He said about Himself…

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

What if we were fully committed to telling the truth, not just to defend our own honor or integrity but to honor God?

When you and I are determined to honor God with consistent honesty, there will be no reason to doubt us. “Honor bright would only be a fun phrase that invites a smile.

So, let’s take the truth of God’s Word and pray to be people who honor Him, faithfully telling the truth…

Verses and Prayers to Tell the Truth and Honor God

Teach me Your ways, O Lord,
    that I may live according to Your truth!
Grant me purity of heart,
    so that I may honor You.

Psalm 86:11

Heavenly Father, the father of lies fills our world with lies and deception, but You graciously gave us the Absolute Truth that lasts forever. I want to live every day according to Your life-giving truth. And I want to express that truth because I want everyone to KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST You.

If people don’t believe they can trust Your children, they will not believe they can trust You.

James wrote, “Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.” (James 3:2)

Please forgive my faults and failures. By Your grace, wash me clean, and give me all I need to honor You with every word I speak. Fill me with Your Spirit, teach me Your ways, and help me live Your truth. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”

Luke 16:10

Lord, Your Word is clear; there is no such thing as a “little white lie.” Even when it seems like an unimportant matter, or when achieving the goal helps us justify our dishonesty, lying is a sin.

In fact, Solomon wrote that “a lying tongue” is one of the things You hate. (Proverbs 6:16–19) You are faithful and trustworthy, and it’s important that Your children are faithful and trustworthy, too.

Jesus told His followers that their attitude toward truth and honesty reveals their character. He showed us all how to speak the truth, letting people know we care about them.

I pray for Your Spirit to help me speak the truth in love. Please help me know when to speak and when to keep my thoughts to myself. Help me remember that all untruth dishonors you and makes me untrustworthy.

I love you and want to tell the truth for Your glory. Amen.

Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.

John 7:18

Father, thank you for these words spoken by Jesus. He lived a perfect life as an example of the way You want Your children to live. I want to be like Jesus. I can’t on my own. I won’t. But with Your Spirit, with and within me, I can do all things. As I learn Your Truth and surrender to Your guidance, I trust You to transform me and make me more like my Savior.

Bless me with a humble heart that seeks to glorify You, not myself. Help me share my faith and Your love with gentleness and respect. Amen.

The father of lies wants us to believe that there can be “your truth” and “my truth.” But in reality, there is only “The Truth.”

We can have ideas and opinions, but by God’s grace and the Spirit’s help, those should be based on God’s Absolute Truth if we want to honor and glorify Him with our thoughts and words.

Jonathan Edwards wrote…

“All truth is given by revelation, either general or special, and it must be received by reason. Reason is the God-given means for discovering the truth that God discloses, whether in His world or His Word. While God wants to reach the heart with truth, He does not bypass the mind.”

When you and I tell the truth, we show respect for our Creator, the people with whom we’re speaking, and the character within ourselves.

So, “honor bright,” it’s important to tell the truth. It’s God honoring and shows our care for the people around us. It’s always the right thing to do.

May God bless you and give you everything you need to honor Him by telling the truth.

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