Psalm 145:18-21

Do we call upon Him? Not only that, but do we come to Him in truth? Are we honest with Him? He is close to those who are honest—those who recognize and acknowledge their need for Him. We are never going to pull one over on God, so it is best to come to Him as though He already knows—because He does. He simply wants us to acknowledge that truth.

As parents, we often learn things about our kids and give them an opportunity to come clean with us. I would always tell them that they should assume Daddy knows more than they think he does—because he usually does. Just tell the truth for if they get caught in a lie, that is when the real trouble begins.

Pastoring is very similar to parenting. As pastors, there are times when we just know things—sometimes by the revelation of the Spirit, and sometimes because little birds tell us. It is incredibly frustrating when people lie, because it reveals that they, like Adam, are still trying to hide the truth. Yet the truth is what will set them free. The truth is liberating; lies keep us in bondage and fear. It is exhausting to live a lie, for you constantly fear being found out. We lie because we fear rejection if people know the truth about us.

Yet here is the good news: God already knows the truth about you and loves you just the same. He simply doesn’t want any darkness between you and Him. As my husband and I have always said, we can deal with the truth—no matter how ugly—but there is no dealing with a lie, because when you lie, you’re not ready yet.

God waits for us to come to Him and be honest with Him, because only then can we move forward in freedom; otherwise, we remain stuck in bondage to the lie.

How backward the world is! It promises freedom “from God,” yet what it really promotes is bondage to itself and its ways. True freedom is only found in Christ.

How do we want to live—in freedom or in bondage?