We are all infected and impure with sin.
When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like
autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind…
Isaiah 64:6
Let’s be honest. Most
of us have sin in our lives that we are not totally honest about. We rationalize it and talk ourselves into
believing that it is not so bad – or bad at all - and we continue living with
it in our lives. But this is not the life God intended for His children. We cannot have the abundant life He planned
for us and we certainly cannot be blessed with all He has for us when we
continue to turn the other way and not put an end to the sin we carry. It is time for you to face the truth about
your “secret sin” or your “vice” or whatever it is that you won’t let go
of. This week we are focusing on sin and
being truthful with ourselves about our sin.
If you are not ready to be honest, you might not enjoy these
devotionals.
There is a basic set of values in each of us with which we
establish right and wrong, guilt and innocence, parenting boundaries and
methods and other important things in our lives. The core of our values is based in what we
feel to be THE TRUTH. We, as a society,
as individuals and as parents and grandparents, are accepting more and more
“stuff” as OK when it so blatantly violates what we state we believe as the
TRUTH from God and scripture.
“You can’t handle the truth”
This line, from the movie A Few Good Men, was voted
the twenty-ninth greatest American movie quote of all-time by the American Film
Institute. These words seem to ring a
bell in all of us. Do we really want the
truth? Can we really handle the truth?
One of the ways we avoid the truth is to redefine it. Take away its power by splintering it into
little pieces so we can pick and choose what we want it to be. Nothing is
easier than self-deceit.
There is only one Truth (with a capital “T”). You don’t declare truth…you don’t define truth…you discover it.
Beliefs don’t determine truths. If they are
sound beliefs, then they are determined by truths.
Just because I believe something does not make it anywhere
near truth. Relativism, generally
speaking, is the philosophical position that all points of view are equally
valid and that all truth (and value) is relative to the individual.
Our world needs to hear the Truth, know the Truth…meet the
Truth. Jesus
said to him, "I am the way, and the
truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6
The Spirit of God is
the Spirit of Truth - Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. John 17:17 God empowers
his Word. When proclaimed boldly and
clearly, its truths impact the lives of men.
"the word of God is living and active,
sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit,
of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the
heart." Hebrews 4:12
The Bible’s power to lay open the heart is because it is TRUTH. You cannot argue (and win) when you face the
truth. It is the sword of the Spirit not
man's sword or man’s word. We are given the privilege to use it on our lives
and in our lives.
I, for one, am guilty of avoiding
the truth by redefining it. I can talk
myself into believing a particular sin that I don’t want to let go of is not so
bad, or not even a sin at all. You can
rationalize away anything. It is time for us to be honest with
ourselves. Sin is sin and it is
wrong. We can even excuse rebellion by
talking ourselves into believing that the situation warrants our
disobedience. We forget that God is in
control of our circumstances and He is working all things together for our good
when we love Him. He has not promised
any of us a life without pain but He does promise blessings when we have faith
in Him and choose to obey. Make a decision
to be honest with yourself about the sin in your life. Is there something you are holding onto?
Scripture to Claim:
People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Proverbs 28:13
People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Proverbs 28:13
