“You, [Lord], desire honesty from the heart.” Psalm 51:6 NLT

“Life is simplest when truth is the only option you will allow yourself.”

My thoughts and comments today are about “truth and honesty.”

Some years ago when I testified before the Federal Communications Commission in Washington DC in regard to an application for a television broadcast license, the church’s attorneys coached me to avoid prefacing my responses to questions with, “to be perfectly honest with you” or “honestly speaking.” They advised that those phrases may wrongly imply that I could be less than honest and truthful in some other comments or occasions. There are times and things that may tempt you to “adjust” truth more conveniently to the moment. Resist such a time or situation.

Sometimes truth and honesty are inconvenient and seem inadequate for what we want. We want people to like us, so we flatter others. We want friends to admire us, so we exaggerate. We want others to be impressed, so we spend money we cannot afford. Truth-telling can have consequence on some few occasions, but dealing less than honestly and truthfully has consequences in your heart and character always. When you selectively speak a little less than the truth, is it still the truth? When you add something of your own opinion to truth, haven’t you made it something less not more? Life is simplest when truth is the only option you will allow yourself. Speaking or hearing the truth about yourself may hurt briefly; speaking the truth about others, however, should never be hurtful. Read Ephesians 4:15 NIV.

There is a valuable principle with which John concludes the New Testament, a warning about adding to or taking away from God’s words that could also be applied to an individual’s regard and handling of truth. See Revelation 22:18-19 NKJV. John says that you need all the truth Scripture provides, and certainly nothing less than that. Every court in our country requires all testimony first to be sworn to with these words: “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; so help you God?” The truth, the whole truth, and nothing less nor more than the truth! How much more should that be always the case with those who profess the name of Christ and dare to speak on His behalf?

Solomon advises, “Truth, wisdom, learning, and good sense – these are worth paying for, but far too valuable to sell.” Proverbs 23:23 TEV. I really like this contemporary translation connecting those four related attributes – truth, wisdom, learning, and good sense! Don’t “sell the truth” for any price. Truth is from God and the prerequisite for “wisdom;” from wisdom “learning” is acquired; and “good sense” is the practical application of what you have learned by experience. Interestingly, truth believed and practiced produces the good sense everyday life needs, and too many people appear to lack.

King David found a situation in his life when he was less than honest and truthful – with himself, which is where the problem always begins, and with others, and ultimately with God. He learned the folly and pain of doing so. See Psalm 32:1-5 NLT. From that painful experience, David wrote, “You (Lord) desire honesty from the heart, so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being.” Read Psalm 51:1-12 NLT. Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 NIV. Truth is liberating. Reflect prayerfully on Psalm 139:23 NLT.

My prayer for you today is that you will experience the liberating power of truth.

Devotionals David, Ephesians 4:15, good sense, honesty, John 8:32, learning, liberating ruth, only option, Proverbs 23:23, Psalm 32:1-5, Psalm 51:1-12, Revelation 22:18-19, truth, wisdom

“God is like a refiner’s fire and launderer’s soap . . as a refiner and purifier.” Malachi 3:2 NKJV

“Sin devalues the soul and diminishes your God-given design and potential.”

My thoughts and comments today are about “refining and purifying.”

The simple reality is that none of us is all we should and could be, apart from the grace and mercies of God. You know the drill – words you wish you had left unsaid, behavior you regret, grudges too long unforgiven, relationships strained and unrestored, and obedience to God delayed. God loves you the way you are, but also loves you too much to leave you the way as you were. The good news is that God loves you too much to leave you less than you could be.

The prophet, Malachi, encourages Israel with this understanding of their God, and ours, “For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier . . that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.” Malachi 3:2-3 NKJV. What a faithful, loving God. And His purpose is not merely to expose your sin, but to separate it from you that you may be “to the Lord an offering of righteousness.”

The process of refining removes impurities that diminish value and reduce usefulness. We are all a sad mixture of motives and behaviors. What a wondrous picture of the gracious work of the Holy Spirit in hearts and lives. Listen to Jesus’ words about the Spirit’s work, “When the Comforter comes, He will reprove/convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.” John 16:8 NIV. Sin devalues the soul and diminishes your God-given design and potential. “And I will . . refine them like silver and test them like gold.  They will call on My name and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people.’ And they will say ‘The Lord is our God.’” Zechariah 13:9 NIV.

The process of laundering cleanses what has defiled and restores original condition. “Therefore, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 NKJV. Maybe you could accomplish that to some extent as regards external things, such as outward practices of conversation or conduct; but can you successfully cleanse internal things, tendencies and vulnerabilities resident within your spirit? Read Psalm 51:1-12 NIV.

“Christ loved the Church. He gave up His life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God’s Word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious Church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, the Church will be holy and without fault.” Ephesians 5:25-27 NLT. Nothing and no one else promises new life like Jesus does. How does God accomplish this cleansing of body, soul, and spirit? “The blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.” Read 1 John 1:7-9 NKJV.

People too easily confuse condemnation and conviction. Neither condemnation nor conviction feels good when happening, but they are not at all alike. Condemnation comes from your Adversary and yourself, pushing you away from the only One who can help you and leaving you feeling all the more guilty and unworthy. Conviction comes from the Holy Spirit within you as He draws you back toward God, with assurance of salvation and provides your only means for cleansing the soul and restoring unhindered fellowship. Read Romans 8:1-4 NKJV.

My prayer for you today is that you trust God’s purpose and process to refine and purify your heart.

Devotionals 2 Corinthians 7:1, cleanse, condemnation, conviction, defiled, fellowship, Holy Spirit, impurities, John 16:8, Malachi 3:2-3, new life, Psalm 51:1-12, purifying, refining, Romans 8:1-4, Zechariah 13:9