Friday, April 5, 2024

Honest with Ourselves and God

Today we will look at scriptures that teach us to be honest with ourselves and God. This type of honesty is often referred to as integrity because it has the effect of making our actions consistent with our professed belief. This is the type of honesty that keeps us honest even when no one is watching or listening.

Inconsistency between word and deed is a type of self-deception.

“Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” — James 1:22

We all have sinned, and will sin. If we seek to know what we lack and what we must set right, God will show us, but to do this we must first be honest with ourselves.

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” — I John 1:8-10

Often self-deception comes as a result of pride. We often think we know and understand more than we actually do and this attitude causes us to act in pride and harden our hearts to the truth that would save.

“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men.” — 1 Corinthians 3:18-21

Another way we lie to ourselves is when we deny God’s authority and by so doing makes gods of ourselves.

“Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator.” — Romans 1:25

Self-deception and attempting to lie to God can bring only momentary pleasure, the appearance of happiness but no lasting substance of joy.

“Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.” — Proverbs 20:17

No matter our own personal deceptions, we cannot change reality. If we are to have lasting happiness we must align our thoughts, words, and deeds with Gods word.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” — Galatians 6:7-9

“Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?… Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” — Acts 5:3-4

“For thou hast not lied unto men only but thou hast lied unto God; for behold, he knows all thy thoughts, and thou seest that thy thoughts are made known unto us by his Spirit.” — Alma 12:3, Book of Mormon

“Behold, I know that thou believest, but thou art possessed with a lying spirit, and ye have put off the Spirit of God that it may have no place in you.” — Alma 30:42, Book of Mormon



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