Honesty with God: The Path to True Guidance

Devotional

Day 1: God's Insight into Our Motivations

God sees beyond our actions and understands the motivations behind them. This divine insight means that honesty with God is crucial for a genuine relationship with Him. When we are transparent, God can work through us in ways we might not have imagined. By acknowledging our true intentions and being open with God, we invite His transformative power into our lives. This openness allows us to align our actions with His will, leading to a more fulfilling spiritual journey. [00:34]

Jeremiah 17:10 (ESV): "I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."

Reflection: What is one hidden motivation you have that you need to bring before God today? How can you invite Him to transform this area of your life?

Day 2: The Importance of Authenticity

God does not engage with those who present a false front. Just as He can distinguish between genuine and imitation, He knows the real us. Our authenticity is essential for being used by God, as He values sincerity over appearances. By being true to ourselves and honest with God, we open the door for Him to work through us in meaningful ways. This authenticity not only strengthens our relationship with God but also sets an example for others to follow. [01:05]

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV): "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you tempted to present a false front? How can you practice authenticity in your relationship with God and others today?

Day 3: Worldly Games vs. Kingdom Values

While the world may operate on political games and deceit, these are not the values of God's kingdom. Jesus taught that true greatness comes from integrity and honesty, not from manipulation or deceit. By choosing to live according to kingdom values, we align ourselves with God's purpose and experience the true greatness that comes from serving Him. This path requires courage and faith, but it leads to a life of genuine fulfillment and impact. [01:39]

Matthew 5:37 (ESV): "Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil."

Reflection: How can you choose integrity over manipulation in a specific situation you are facing today? What steps can you take to align your actions with kingdom values?

Day 4: The Boomerang Effect of Deception

Deceiving others can lead to being deceived ourselves, especially by the devil. This boomerang effect serves as a warning to live truthfully and avoid the pitfalls of deceit. By choosing honesty, we protect ourselves from the consequences of deception and open ourselves to God's guidance and blessings. Living truthfully requires vigilance and a commitment to God's truth, but it leads to a life of peace and integrity. [01:39]

Proverbs 26:27 (ESV): "Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when deception backfired on you. How can you commit to living truthfully in your current circumstances?

Day 5: The Path to Divine Guidance

By coming clean with God, we open ourselves to His guidance and purpose for our lives. Honesty with God allows Him to lead us to where He wants us to be, free from the burdens of past deceptions. This path requires humility and a willingness to surrender our plans to God's will. As we trust in His guidance, we discover the joy and peace that come from walking in His ways. [02:06]

Psalm 32:8 (ESV): "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to seek God's guidance today? How can you practice surrendering your plans to His will?

Sermon Summary

In our journey through life, we often encounter individuals who are tricksters or connivers, and sometimes, we might even find ourselves playing those roles. However, it's crucial to remember that while we might deceive others, we cannot deceive God. He is the ultimate reader of our motivations, understanding not just our actions but the reasons behind them. When we choose to be honest with God, we open the door for Him to respond to our sincerity. By putting aside our tricks and coming clean in our prayers and communication with Him, we allow God to use us in profound ways.

God does not engage with fakes or those who present a facade. Just as He can distinguish between genuine and imitation jewelry, He knows the real us. Our honesty with God is the pathway to being used by Him, despite any past deceptions. In a world where playing political games might seem necessary, this is not the path to greatness in God's kingdom. Jesus taught His disciples that to be used by Him for good, for God, and for the benefit of others, they must not engage in deceitful behavior.

The story of Jacob serves as a cautionary tale. Being a deceiver does not deceive God, and such actions can backfire, leaving us vulnerable to the devil's tricks. Instead, we are encouraged to come clean with God, allowing Him to guide us to where He wants us to be.

Key Takeaways

1. God's Insight into Our Motivations: God is not just aware of our actions but also understands the motivations behind them. This divine insight means that honesty with God is crucial for a genuine relationship with Him. When we are transparent, God can work through us in ways we might not have imagined. [00:34]
2. The Importance of Authenticity: God does not engage with those who present a false front. Just as He can distinguish between genuine and imitation, He knows the real us. Our authenticity is essential for being used by God, as He values sincerity over appearances. [01:05]
3. **Worldly Games vs. Kingdom Values:** While the world may operate on political games and deceit, these are not the values of God's kingdom. Jesus taught that true greatness comes from integrity and honesty, not from manipulation or deceit. [01:39]
4. The Boomerang Effect of Deception: Deceiving others can lead to being deceived ourselves, especially by the devil. This boomerang effect serves as a warning to live truthfully and avoid the pitfalls of deceit. [01:39]
5. The Path to Divine Guidance: By coming clean with God, we open ourselves to His guidance and purpose for our lives. Honesty with God allows Him to lead us to where He wants us to be, free from the burdens of past deceptions. [02:06]
** [02:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:34] - God's Insight into Our Motivations
[01:05] - The Importance of Authenticity
[01:39] - Worldly Games vs. Kingdom Values
[02:06] - The Path to Divine Guidance

Sermon Clips

"Nobody likes a trickster. Nobody likes a conniver. Nobody likes somebody who's running the game on them. But we've all been affected by people like that or maybe we've even affected people that way. Well, it's hard to run a game on God because He knows where we're coming from. He knows why we're doing what we're doing because he's the motivational reader. He not only hears what we say, he knows why we said it. When you are willing to be honest with God, you'll find out that God responds to that honesty. You put the tricks behind you, and you come clean to God in prayer, in communication with Him, you'll find out that God can use you because you're now being real." [00:13:48]

"Let me put it another way. God doesn't deal well with fakes. He doesn't deal well with, like jewelry that appears to be the real thing but it's really gold plated or cut glass. He knows the real deal. He knows the real you. Honesty with God is the route to being used by God in spite of the tricks you played in the past. And we live in a world where you have to, you know, do some things to get by, sometimes playing the political game. And that may be the way the world works but that's not how greatness is in the kingdom of God. That's what Jesus told his disciples. You can't roll like that with Me if you want to be used by Me, for good, for God, and for the benefit of others." [00:59:57]

"So don't be like Jacob and be a deceiver because you're not deceiving God, and it can come back on you like a boomerang and you wind up being the deceived by the devil, who's out to trick you as you and I try to trick others. Come clean with God so that He can take you to where He wants you to be." [01:50:11]

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