Ever notice when you ask your parents or your teachers certain questions—usually big or important or difficult ones—they’re a little careful about how they give you the answer?  Or ever wonder why God gives us the ability to know about Him and the world, but still leaves an awful lot of mystery in it.  Why not just tell us everything?  Well, it turns out that being honest often requires prudence and charity—we need to consider to whom we are speaking—because sometimes getting the whole truth all up front would just be too much for little minds to handle.  Emily Dickinson said it this way,

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant –
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb surprise

As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind –

In fact, this is exactly the approach God takes with us, not revealing to us the whole truth all at once, but revealing it gently, over time, and in a manner that won’t blind us, until we are hopefully equipped to know it all in eternity. 

Paul says as much in 1 Corinthians 13:12,

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

So, yes, being honest in all things means telling the truth…but sometimes it needs to be told so that it can dazzle gradually, lest we be overwhelmed and blinded by its brightness.

Have a wonderful day.