Philippians 4:8–Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

One of the things that I learned early on as a Christian, is the need to repent of sins in prayer.  That prayer without repentance, is not what is “true” about all my thoughts and actions, so its not a completely honest prayer.  So if I’m struggling to be honest with God who knows, can I really say I am loving the Lord with my all heart and mind? (Matthew 22:37, 1 John 1:8)

If you count on your hands how many people you can be completely truthful with, that you trust, how many would that be?  Generally it is a small number if not any you completely trust.  Now consider  how not being able to be truthful with someone, can affect your mind?  Without a real intimate prayer life to God, or not having a true friend that you trust, there are things you deal with in your mind with no outlet…

A prayer life with repentance, is to clear the mind and conscience of a violation towards God ultimately, and maybe towards someone else.  But if we refuse to acknowledge what is “true”, we are refusing to be forgiven and cleared of our conscience.  Prayer is beyond requesting, but is an opportunity to be honest with ourselves and God, or maybe someone we have sinned against.  An opportunity that leads to the peace of God that “surpasses all understanding”…(Matthew 5:23-24, Philippians 4:7,9, 1 John 1:9) 

To think on whatever is “true” can be very intimidating and even shameful.  But to repentant (if needed) implies the gospel being the motivation behind why we should be so truthful.  That there is nothing that the blood of Jesus cannot cover, or anything the eyes of God have not seen to forgive us from.  So our refusal to acknowledge what is true, even if it is shameful, is like being in a prison with an open door to walk out!

I heard it said, “that it takes courage to be truthful” and maybe so.  But I think it’s the desperation not to live as a prisoner in my own mind and conscience.  Knowing the power of gospel gives us the grace to not only think on what is true, even if it is bad, but know that truth is what God responds to.  To only acknowledge what is true that makes us “feel good”, is not honest.  But to acknowledge the whole truth, is what God desires to acknowledge and affirm/rebuke/and forgive us in, that we be honest and humble witnesses of Him. (Psalm 18:30, Proverbs 12:17, John 3:21, Acts 1:8)

In His Love, Ld