The Truth Shall Set You Free

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32 NLT

When a problem behavior or relationship is developing in our lives, we don't want to face the truth about our actions because of the painful feelings honesty would bring. Instead, we try using defenses to cover the truth or excuse ourselves. Defenses can be used appropriately, but when we use them to avoid facing the truth about ourselves, they make delusion even darker.

Each person has a favorite set of defenses. A few of the commonly used ones are blaming, denying, explaining, joking, justifying, minimizing and rationalizing.

What defenses have you used? And are you using any right now to cover up a problem in your life?

Are you hiding from the truth in some area of your life? Take a giant step: Be honest with yourself. Be honest with Jesus. Be honest with others. Jesus is the Truth … and the truth will set you free!

Prayer

Father, thank you for your promise that the truth will set me free. Please set me free from delusions in my life. Set me free to become all that you want me to be. In Jesus' name …

Living Free - Denying a Personal Problem

A scoffer seeks Wisdom in vain [for his very attitude blinds and deafens him to it], but knowledge is easy to him who [being teachable] understands. Proverbs 14:6 AMP

Thoughts for Today

Are you "protecting" yourself by denying a problem in your life?

Denial is the refusal to believe the truth about our actions. Most people with life-controlling problems at some point begin to deny having a problem. They know what they are doing is wrong, but they refuse to admit the truth. Instead, they tend to rationalize their behavior. "It's not that bad." "I'm not hurting anyone." "I don't really have a problem."

Continued denial leads to a state of delusion, a condition where people no longer recognize the truth about their actions. They sincerely believe their own excuses and become blind to the truth. In the end, denial of the truth will lead to destruction.

Consider this …

Are you hiding from a problem in your life? Are you like the "scoffer" in today's Psalm—asking God (or friends) for guidance but being blinded and deafened by your attitude … by your denial of the truth?

Do you love the struggling person in your life enough to let go … and lean on God?

Personal Reflection:

I confess, I have been denying a personal struggle. My old life is surfacing and for some time I have been justifying my actions. Don't get me wrong, I still have guilty convictions and the Lord never failed to remind me and provide a way out for me. But I didn't listen to Him. Now I want to admit that, Yes! This is a big problem.

Lord I want to say sorry and I ask your healing mercy be upon my life today. Help me deny, reject, refuse, and run away from the everyday temptation that the enemy shoots at me. I admit I cannot do this alone, I need You! As a response Lord I commit myself to strongly fight this temptation using your word everyday. I will faithfully read my Bible, pray, and write my journal everyday. Help me Lord. I know I am already victorious and I thank You Lord for a new start that you have blessed me with. I commit all this to You, in Jesus name. AMEN!