A God We Can Be Honest With (Part I)
The closest relationships are built on trust and open communication. When we feel we can trust someone, we open up and we’re able to be honest with them. Sadly, human relationships can result in pain when our honesty unintentionally hurts those around us, or when our trust is taken advantage of and we are betrayed.
Since being a follower of Jesus is about relationship, not just religion or rules, it stands to reason that it should be built on trust and honesty as well. Fortunately, we can stand on two facts: one, God is never hurt by our honesty - in fact He welcomes it; and two, God never betrays us or lies to us.
It is because God is so trustworthy that we are able to be honest with Him.
Numbers 23:19 tells us, “God is not a man, so He does not lie. He is not human, so He does not change His mind. Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through?”
To lie, to betray, or to break a promise is not aligned with God’s character. Unlike imperfect human beings, the Lord is perfect in every way and never changes. Hebrews 13:8 tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever,” and we are told that there is no variation or shadow in God due to change in James 1:17. Unlike the world, which is constantly changing in every way, including in its opinions and truths, the Lord is unchanging and dependable. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6) and we can depend on Him fully.
God is our Father. He’s safe to bring our questions, doubts, and complaints to. When we don’t understand, we can tell Him. He might not give us the answers we want to hear, but His plans are always the best outcome for those who love Him (see Romans 8:28). And even if He doesn’t give us answers, He always provides His presence. He promises to never leave or forsake us - one question or one moment of weakness isn’t going to cause Him to turn His back on us.
God’s presence and character allows us to be honest with ourselves, too. We don’t have to posture or pretend to be something that we’re not. If we’re upset, let us take that upset to God. If we are glad, let us go to Him in joy. If we are concerned, depressed, anxious, fearful, in pain — let us go to God as we are. We don’t have to clean ourselves up or pretend like we have it all together in front of Him. He knows already.
“We must lay before Him what is in us, not what ought to be in us.”
I believe the Word of God helps us be honest in three ways: 1) It helps us to be honest with God by showing us His trustworthy character; 2) God speaks the truth to us through His Word, showing us the difference between right and wrong, truth and lies; and 3) It helps us to be honest with ourselves by showing us who we are in the eyes of God.
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” This verse found in Hebrews 4:12 reveals how the Bible helps to expose the lies we believe - about ourselves, about others, about God, and about the world.
I am a living testament to the powerful truth of the Word of God. When I first earnestly began to seek the Lord in January of 2022, approaching the Bible with no preconceived notions and simply a desire to be helped, I realized I’d been believing lies about myself and who I was. For example, I used to put myself down all the time, calling myself names, and I believed that all of my interests, abilities, and talents were pointless. I was in my mid-thirties at the time, and I felt useless - like I had done nothing in my life that was worthwhile.
But in reading the word of God, I realized the truth: that I was valuable and treasured by God, and that the interests and talents I had were given to me by Him, for a purpose. I also realized that the world’s measures of success are not the same as God’s measures.
And this is the truth for all of us! We are all made in the image of God (see Genesis 1:27). We are chosen by Him (see 1 Peter 2:9). He rejoices and sings over us (see Zephaniah 3:17). He has good plans and a purpose for us (see Jeremiah 29:11 and Ephesians 2:10).
Knowing these things has produced in me a greater confidence in who I am because of how God sees me, and has also pushed me to become a better person - all because of the Lord and how gentle and honest He was with me.
When we realize how loved we are by God, this encourages us to approach Him even more readily. When we weed out the lies we believe and make room for the truth of God to grow in us, we are able to draw even closer to Him. All of this promotes more truth and honesty in our relationship with our Lord.
Next week we’ll dive into one of the most beautifully honest relationships in the Bible - the relationship between God and David. Until then, beloved friend, may I encourage you to be honest? Be honest with God: He is completely dependable and trustworthy. Allow God to be honest with You: He loves you, and only wants to help you become the best version of yourself. And be honest with yourself: you are worth that.
Let’s pray together.Lord, help us to remember that You are always safe to be honest with. You will never rebuke or forsake us, even when we question or when we doubt. In fact, we know these instances are an invitation to draw nearer to You, to get the answers and comfort we need. In You we find perfect peace, perfect love, and perfect truth. Help us to not only be honest with You always, but honest with ourselves as well. We know we don’t have to put on airs or pretend to be anything other than who we are; we can truly be ourselves with You. Thank you for being honest with us. Thank You for being a safe, loving, and trustworthy God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
