Truth and Consequence

My people will be destroyed, because they have no knowledge. (Hosea 4:6, NCV)



These are not the people in my story

Before Pope Francis was selected, I watched a TV interviewer ask people on the street their opinions about the new pope.

I was amazed at the ease in which people pontificated about the yet unelected pope. When asked followup questions, they spoke into the roving mike with ease and confidence.

But they were deluded. They spoke glibly with no understanding. There was no new pope--yet.

I hate to admit ignorance. I'm sure they did too. Or perhaps, they didn't even know they were ignorant!

Whatever the cause, their actions challenged me to take another look at myself.

Is it more important to make a good impression or to speak the truth? Is it more important to take another person's opinion as valid or do the hard work of digging for the facts?

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Read Habbakuk 2:6 in context.

Is there an area in your life in which you might need information? 
Would you be willing to search the scriptures while asking the Author of Truth to inform, instruct and give you wisdom?
What other other sources might you need to research?
What action will you take?

Confession

If you're like me, confession does not come easily.

It's painful to take a look at attitudes you'd rather not acknowledge. A simple thing like mild annoyance that rises when you don't get your own way or full grown anger that flares when you have been crossed are signals for confession. Other signs could be fear crawling in the shadows or insecurity leading to uneven ground away from the Rock of Ages.

Confession, the "C" of the ACTs model of prayer, is hard. But it is like presenting yourself to the doctor, revealing the infection in your body, and waiting for the prognosis and the cure. Sometimes it is quick and painless. Sometimes it calls for a deeper incision than you would choose, but it allows you to rid your body of the poison that the Creator never intended for you to absorb.

Telling the Great Physician your discovery sits you in His office. There you can listen for His instructions on how to get whole.


FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

"If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts" ( John 1:8-10, New Living Translation).

Examine your life with the Great Physician's help. Is there any attitude or habit that you need to confess?