The Whole Truth And Nothing But - The Family of Faith

“And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with his testimony… Since we believe human testimony, surely we can believe the greater testimony that comes from God. And God has testified about his Son.” (1 John 5:6, 9, NLT)

My two older sisters and I grew up in the same brick house and shared the same parents, the same blue-tiled bathroom, and the same telephone line for decades. On occasion, we even slept in the same bed and often ran from the same spiders and bees. Yet, when someone has questioned us, we’ve each told and retold at least three different, conflicting versions of any childhood event, particularly the painful ones. In minute—and inaccurate—detail, we’ve explained the how behind who hurt us and why.

It’s about the same in my own household. Our seven children have plenty of tales to tell. If asked about their internal and external bumps and bruises, they’re liable to either wince, share a guilty laugh, squeeze a sister or brother’s hand in commiseration, or even deny anything ever happened. None of them really know the whole story or exactly where to point an accusatory finger. That’s the problem with eyewitness testimony.

But what about the lies we tell ourselves about ourselves? I’m not good enough. I never get things right. My parents always choose their favorite. That’s why my husband doesn’t love me. I’m a failure. We draw these wrong conclusions from what we consider past mistakes or weaknesses. Yet, our experiences are clouded by emotion, circumstances, and a skewed perspective, tinged with a bit of hearsay and supposition. Our interpretation contorts and memory fades day by day, depending on the clarity of our vision and the depth of the wound we suffered. The lies nibble on the truth until they eventually swallow it altogether, leaving nothing behind but a bitter taste that lingers on the tongue—the same tongue we use to testify.

Before you convict yourself with your own words, consider what the Lord has to say about Himself and to His children. Philippians 4:8 exhorts believers to set their minds on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable…excellent…and worthy of praise.”

• He is the Truth who refutes the lies of the enemy, especially the ones we whisper to ourselves when we’re at our weakest.
• Jesus is our just Mediator and Redeemer, who commends us when Satan tries to convict us before God.
• His pure light pierces the darkness where guilt and self-recrimination hide.
• The Lord restores the love and peace that guard our hearts and minds.
• Only Jesus is worthy of all praise.

Just what are you telling yourself? Do you speak lies or speak about the Way, the Truth, and the Life?

Prayer: Dear Lord, shield me from the lies of the enemy who only comes to steal my joy, kill my faith, and destroy my testimony. Please transform my past from a stumbling block to a stepping stone so that my life becomes a credible witness of who You are in me. Every moment of every day, remind me of who You say I am and who You are in me. Amen.