Day 31 - 90 Days in Proverbs – Nothing but the Truth
Proverbs 6:19 [ESV] a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
If you ever testified in court or even watched a court drama on TV, you know that a witness is asked to “Swear (or affirm) to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” I always felt that this statement had to be adapted over time. First, maybe it was simply “to tell the truth” but then witnesses were leaving parts of the truth out, so they had to add “the whole truth.” Then someone thought, “but I can add some lies to it so it is more in line with what I want the court to believe” and they had to add “and nothing but the truth.”
In a court of law, they rely on the testimony of witnesses, among other things, to convict or exonerate the accused party. For a time, eye witnesses were all we had. Now there are cameras everywhere and DNA tests. We are still finding cases where a witness lied to put someone in jail where the DNA now exonerates the accused. Thankfully, there are organizations working to release the falsely accused.
As obedient children of God, you and I would never lie in court. But, as usual, God’s standards are higher than just telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth when swearing in a court of law. God asks us to be unerringly dependable in our words every day and every time we speak.
Matthew 5:37 [ESV] Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.
God asks us to be especially dependable and truthful in our promises and commitments, not matter the cost. Psalm 15:4 [NIV] in outlining who will be allowed to dwell with God, we are told, among other things, it will be one 4 who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;
There is another area where absolute truth is required: in prayer. Are you ever tempted to soften the truth with your confession of sin to God? I confess that sometimes I do not want to speak aloud or even speak in my mind, the thing for which I am repenting. I sometimes get embarrassed to still be a sinner after years of working to live a godly life. I still have sins to repent of – and some of them repeatedly.
God asks us to be honest here as well. Honestly with ourselves, with the sin that trips us up, is an important part of the process of change. And, let’s face it, God already knows. He knows our hearts. He knows our thoughts. He sees me for who I am, even if I don’t see it or don’t want to see it. I am a sinner. I struggle. But there is no real reason to fear to confess my sins. Whatever I have done has already been paid for. Upon repentance, it will be forgiven.
That fear of being honest with God is a tool of Satan, designed to stop us from full repentance and spiritual growth.
God does not ask us to do anything or be anything that He has not already modeled for us. He has always provided the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about sin and the penalty for it – about His plan to send the perfect Lamb to pay for it – about our eternal reward. He asks no less than full honesty from us.
Sisters, God asks us to be children of truth at all times and in all circumstances – in every conversation or social media post. But so called “brutal honesty” – that comes into play most often in being honest with ourselves about ourselves.
God already knows me to my core. He knows you too. We should never fear honest confession. The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about ourselves is the first step to real change.
Prayer — Father God, You know all things. You know my heart, my thoughts, my intent and my actions. Help me, therefore, to be unerringly and utterly honest in my assessment of my own life, thoughts, heart and actions, and in my conversations with You about them. Only an honest assessment of myself will lead to true repentance and growth. I want to grow and change. I want to become like You, my perfect Heavenly Father. Help me to be open and honest with others as well so that we can build a relationship of trust and support one another in good times and tough time. I ask this in Jesus’ holy name. Amen.
Your thoughts —
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