Matthew West
Truth Be Told (Live)
[Intro]
Hey I wanna sing a song for you right now that's pretty much my autobiography
I grew up a good preacher's kid and over time I've developed this skill, this unwanted skill
It served me all my life, but it is no way to live my life
It's the ability to be a pretender\
Even at a young age I knew what people expected of me
And I feel that pressure to be perfect
So I knew how to put a smile on, I knew how to quote the right scripturеs, raise my hand during the worship servicе so that mom, dad and the congregation would look at me and think "Alright, he's on the right path. He's setting the example, he's a good Christian."
But did you know that it's possible to look the part and not necessarily be living the part
I wonder if you know exactly what I'm talking about
Fast-forward, I grew up and became a Christian singer doing nice Christian concerts and at nice Christian churches for nice Christian people
And I wonder how many out there in the crowd every night feel that same pressure that I feel
The pressure to highlight the good stuff about us
And hide the rest of it away
That's what shame does you know
That's what Satan does
But what the last thing this hurting world needs to see is a Christian pretending to be perfect
What they need to see is people like you and me leading the way with our brokenness
Saying "Hey I'm far from perfect, but let me tell you about a perfect God who loves me just as I am and who's making me more like Him every single day."
That's what grace does
Grace lifts the pressure of perfection of our shoulders
And tells us that were free now, free to let the truth be known
[Verse 1]
Lie number 1 you’re supposed to have it all together
And when they ask how you’re doing just smile and tell them “never better”
Lie number 2 everybody’s life is perfect except yours
So keep your messes and your wounds and your secrets safe with you behind closed doors
[Pre-Chorus]
Truth be told, the truth is rarely told, uh
[Chorus]
I say, "I’m fine, yeah I’m fine oh I’m fine, hey I’m fine" but I’m not
I’m broken
And when it’s out of control I say it’s under control but it’s not
And you know it
I don’t know why it’s so hard to admit it
When being honest is the only way to fix it
There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin you don’t already know
So let the truth be told
[Verse 2]
There’s a sign on the door saying “come as you are” but I doubt it
If we lived like it was true every Sunday morning pew would be crowded
But didn’t you say the church should look more like a hospital?
A safe place for the sick and the sinner and and sick and the scarred and the prodigal
[Pre-Chorus]
Truth be told
The truth is rarely told
Am I the only one who says...
[Chorus]
I say, "I’m fine, yeah I’m fine oh I’m fine, hey I’m fine" but I’m not
I’m broken
And when it’s out of control I say it’s under control but it’s not
And you know it
I don’t know why it’s so hard to admit it
When being honest is the only way to fix it
There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin you don’t already know
So let the truth be told
[Bridge]
Can I really stand here unashamed?
And know that you love for me won’t change
Oh God If that’s really true
Then let the truth be told
[Chorus]
I say, "I’m fine, yeah I’m fine oh I’m fine, hey I’m fine" but I’m not
I’m broken
And when it’s out of control I say it’s under control but it’s not
And you know it
I don’t know why it’s so hard to admit it
When being honest is the only way to fix it
There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin you don’t already know
So let the truth be told
[Outro]
There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin you don’t already know
So let the truth be told