JMD Devotional 254 Ephesians 4:21-25 Our Relationship to the Truth

But you did not so learn Christ! Assuming that you have really heard Him and been taught by Him, as [all] Truth is in Jesus [embodied and personified in Him], strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; and be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude],
and put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, rejecting all falsity and being done now with it, let everyone express the truth with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one body and members one of another.

None of us are as truthful as we think we are, that is, truthful to ourselves and others consciously and subconsciously. To some degree, we are self-deceived and we deceive others. We may fail to answer honestly out of fear of rejection, we may be overly compliant due to our need for affirmation, or shame may cause us to conceal our sins with facades. There was a time when I had a dozen aliases, many secret passwords, and I obsessively scrubbed my computer cache of cookies, because I had something to hide. I was also very self-righteous; and believed I was a cut above everyone else. I led a double life; was impulsive, erratic and unpredictable. I had strayed into darkness and confusion. You will not find the truth within yourself as New Agers assert, because the Truth is in the person of God, Jesus Christ. We cannot reason our way to Him; we must believe that His is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and invite Him into our lives to establish the Rule of Truth. A commitment to the truth acknowledges that sin is inferior to righteousness. Our actions affect everyone around us. The more truthful we are the more consistent, reliable and stable we become. You can always count on the truth. Your relationship to the truth defines your character or lack there of. Never minimize the importance of being true. Godliness cannot exist without this. Mental health correlates directly with our embrace or rejection of the Truth (delusion is the rejection of obvious truth!)

Dear God,
You are the Truth, and Your Word is true from the beginning! Your truth shines the light I need to take my next step; I am ever dependent upon Your illumination. You once had a bright angel; and we all know where His self-illumination sent him; how his pride spoiled his beauty. All that is untrue shall be cast from Your presence: so make me into a man of truth. May righteousness and goodness adorn my soul due to Your extensive work in my life. Do this for Your glory. And help me to gently speak the truth in love to my neighbor as Your Ambassador of Truth.
Amen

All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
the Lockman Foundation. (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
*New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)

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