You Can’t Handle the Truth

27 / Sun  | Read John 8:31-32

Overview: The truth is hard to come by. We have AI fakes, deceptions, scams, and countless lies. It seems no one thinks we can handle the truth. But Jesus knows we can. In fact, he is the truth.

28 / Mon – Jumping to conclusions  |  Read Joshua 9:1-27, especially v14

Do you sometimes have a hard time distinguishing the truth? It happens. Mistakes are made when we jump to conclusions before we have all the facts. This is what happened to Joshua and the people of Israel. They took things at face value and didn’t stop to inquire of the Lord before they decided with long-lasting consequences. Of course, the Lord makes everything work out okay in the end, but so much grief could be spared. Are you facing a challenging decision? Inquire of the Lord and He will surely help you make the right one.

29 / Tue – Who’s truth?  |  Read John 18:33-38 / Psalm 25:5

Pilate asked an age-old question that is still being asked today. It is popular to divide truth into categories – your truth, my truth, their truth – but misses the point that there is an ultimate truth. No matter how sincere someone is, believing the wrong thing can be disastrous. No one can know all the facts, but you can trust that God does. He is omniscient, which means he knows everything about everything. Will you depend more fully on His truth? You can find it in His word.

30 / Wed – Confidence  |  Read Hebrews 10:35-36

Don’t be over-confident about what you think you know. And don’t throw away your confidence in the Lord. The truth is…hard times will come. Even though some of you don’t think you will survive. In those fragile moments, the devil – who is a liar – will plant thoughts in your head, disputing God’s truth. He will highlight instances when God was ‘slow to answer’ or ‘late to show up’. Review the past, remind yourself of God’s faithfulness, and your confidence will be strengthened. Keep that mental list close by, will you? Add to it as often as you can. Then shoot the truth right back at the devil.

OCT 01 / Thu – It’s the way you tell it  |  Read Ephesians 4:15

Many people are not shy about speaking the truth. In fact, they often feel it’s their duty to set others straight. God’s way is different. He requires that we speak the truth in love. Jefferson Fisher offers three considerations before speaking to another person. Does this need to be said at all…or by me…or right now? If you think God is saying yes to all three, there is one more prayer: “Lord, help me to say this in love, just as you would.” Then you can’t go wrong, no matter how it is received.

02 / Fri – Ouch!  |  Read Ephesians 4:17-29

Paul was teaching these young Christians in Ephesus about the new way they were to live. Many of us know that our lives as Christ-followers are to be different, but it is nice to hear specific and practical directions. Did you notice the interesting words inserted in v31? Do you know it’s possible to bring sorrow to the Lord or that your words, actions, or attitudes could grieve Him? It’s true. Just as those you love say or do things that cut you to the quick, so yours can hurt Him. Maybe you’ll want to be more careful in the future?

03 / Sat – Living by the truth  |  Read 2 Corinthians 10:5

Did you like to play hide and seek as a kid? It’s a popular game and fun to win. There is a serious side to this ‘game’ as an adult; however, when we try to hide things we are not proud of. This verse encourages us that, when we live by the truth, God’s truth, we will be eager to step into the light. And it may be less tempting in the future to do or say things we don’t want to become public. The blessed result is a clear conscience. And who doesn’t want that?!