Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Friday, July 31, 2020

"Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place."¹

I'm sure most readers will be familiar with the concept of selective exposure, selective attention, selective perception, and selective retention. In other words, most of us tend to expose ourselves and give attention only to messages we want to hear. Furthermore, we see things the way we want to see them, and remember only what we want to remember. Everything else we filter out. We turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to what we don't want to see or hear.

The fact is we see and hear things not the way THEY are, but the way WE are. We all see things through our mental filter which has been formed by years of past experiences. The more we were hurt or felt disillusioned in the past (unless these are resolved), the more distorted our view of reality will be—and the more selective we will be in what we unconsciously choose to hear and see.

Plus, the more we are into denial about past hurtful experiences and are not being honest with ourselves, the more TRUTH DECAY sets in causing us to distort all other truth (including God's truth) to make it match our distorted perception of reality. For instance, why do so many people twist God's Word to make it say what they want it to say?

On the other hand, the more honest and truthful we are with our inner self (our gut level feelings and motives), the clearer we will see—and the less we will distort—all other truth, including God's truth. Also, the closer our relationships with others will be. People who hide their true self cannot have in-depth relationships with others or with God.

Truth decay is destructive to one's physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual health. It is a destroyer of societies and opens the door for evil to enter. It is not without very good reason why God desires truth in our innermost being—not for His sake, but much more so for ours.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You that You are the source of all truth. Please confront me with the truth about me, deliver me from the sin of denial, and help me always to walk and live in the way of truth. Help me to be an honest, open, and authentic person. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Psalm 51:6 (NIV).

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