TRUTHFULLY, ARE YOU BEING HONEST WITH YOURSELF AND OTHERS?

SCRIPTURE:
Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; 
You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.  
(Psalm 51:6)

MEDITATION:
In today’s world we have many venues of education.
We can find classes to teach us more about almost any subject.
However, when the classes end, all we have is more knowledge.
Knowledge is good, but it is much better when laced with wisdom.
In fact, when choosing between knowledge and wisdom, 
we should always choose wisdom.

Wisdom is something that comes from the Lord 
and gives us the capability of wisely using our knowledge.
He is the One who teaches us wisdom that is lasting and that we can rely on.
We have all probably met someone who was short in the field of education, 
but long in the area of wisdom.
Man has chosen to call it “common sense” 
but a better reference may be “Godly wisdom”.
God is the One Who gives us wisdom and teaches us the things that are
important for living out our lives on earth, and ensuring eternal life.

Wisdom teaches us to be truthful in all things.
The Bible teaches that purity of conduct includes truthfulness. 
That means that we should be truthful in who we are, and in Whom we believe in.
Jesus denounced the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees.

In the Sermon on the Mount He rebuked 
all hypocritical giving, praying, and fasting. 
When we give, it should be with a heart for giving and not for recognition.
When we pray, 
it should be with a heart to talk to God and not for the ears of others.
When we fast, it should be a statement to our Lord and not for boasting to others.

Wisdom teaches us the importance 
of being honest with the Lord, with others, and with ourselves.
There are many who want others to believe they are someone they are not.
They can be so driven 
that they start convincing themselves that they are someone else.
It results in their denial (sometimes vehemently) 
when confronted about their dishonesty.

The fear is that this may cause some to miss out on Heaven 
because they had convinced themselves that they have received God’s salvation, 
when they really have not.
Lies are not turned to truth, 
just because we say them and convince ourselves that they are true.
 
Hypocrites do not lead many (if any) to the Lord.
If we claim to be a Christian but fail to live our lives as a Christian, 
then others will assume we are living a lie.
If we choose to disobey some of God’s commands, 
don’t try to justify why it is okay, because it is not.
Admit that you are disobedient in a particular area,
but you are trying to change (if you honestly are).

ACTION:
Have you received wisdom from the Lord?
If you have not, then ask for it.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously 
to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)

Have you tried to convince others 
that you are someone other than who you really are?
God knows who you really are, so start being honest with yourself 
and with Him, so that you will be honest with others.

When you are dishonest, 
it is difficult to keep up with which untruths you have told.
You may think that you are fooling others, but more than likely it is because 
they are not telling you that they don’t believe you, and not because they do.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of wisdom. I ask You to teach 
me wisdom so that I will be truthful in every phase of my life. Father, You 
made me who I am and I ask You to help me embrace the person you made 
me to be. I pray that I will no longer try to convince others that I am someone 
I am not. Help me to fully enjoy Your gift of wisdom, and to use it to serve 
You and to point others to Jesus.”