Being Honest With Yourself

How often do you examine your thoughts, your attitudes, your motives, your priorities, your spiritual condition? Not just a fleeting consideration, but a meaningful, thorough investigation. The kind requiring being one hundred percent honest with yourself. After all, if you can't be honest with yourself, can you really be honest and sincere with God?

This honesty of heart is something of utmost value to God. "Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom" (Psalm 51:6). "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23).

What does the word "heart" mean in the Bible? The word "heart" is translated from the Greek word "kardia", which means the thoughts or feelings, or mind. So, honesty of heart is truthfulness of thought, or having no deception in the mind.

Some things are hard to think about. And is it really worth the effort? You may find some subjects painful. You might avoid other subjects because you know where they will lead... perhaps to something that you don't want to admit. At times, you think you've got it all figured out... you're too smart to be confused or unsure about a subject. Other times, you talk yourself in circles, getting nowhere, frustrated with your failed logic. Answers can be elusive. Ignorance can be bliss.

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (I John 1:8).

Being honest with yourself, isn't easy, at first. It can be hard work! But it does get easier. And God will help! Our mind sets up roadblocks that appear when we start to think about certain subjects. We steer clear of the roadblock, quickly thinking about something else. It is easy to justify why we do it. Have you ever said to yourself:

"If I'm wrong, I don't want to be right?"
"God would more clearly reveal it to me if it was important."
"It doesn't really matter that much."
"Everybody else does it this way."
"I'm not smart enough to understand that."
"I'm too smart to not see the truth."

These pacifying statements ease our minds, allowing us to quickly shift directions. Yes, we have successfully tricked ourselves. Minds are powerful!

But, what if you saw the roadblock and recognized it, and saw right through your own deceptions and delays? What if you journeyed further down the road? Ask yourself this: Is there anything down that road you would consider worse than sticking with your comfortable falsehoods? Maybe. Now ask this: Is there anything down that road that God would consider worse than your falsehoods? After all, he knows everything about you already. "For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad" (Luke 8:15). Furthermore, hardening your heart or resisting God makes things worse. "I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?" (Job 9:2).

God will help you see the roadblocks and lead you on your new journey of truth. One way He provides help is through the study of His word. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). Study His word with prayerful openness, and you will receive strength to face painful subjects and self-deceptions will be revealed. Once you are honest with yourself, your relationship with God can reach a new level. The process of transforming your character is optimized. You receive clarity, confidence and assurance through a closer relationship with God. "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience" (Luke 8:15).

Now, ask yourself again... Is it really worth the effort? Is ignorance even an option?

"Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle...He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart" (Psalm 15:1-2).