Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: 1 John 1:1-10

Many of us grew up hearing hypocritical Christians being criticised for not “practising what they preach!”

Today’s passage highlights that people living by the value of truth do everything within their power to ensure that they do indeed “practice what they preach”. They strive to ensure that they are people of integrity whose walk matches their talk. They strive to ensure that their words are an accurate reflection of their lives, and that their lives accurately enact what they say about themselves, their beliefs and their reality. In other words, as John puts it: “⁶ If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” A Christ-follower is called to live their lives truthfully, not just to speak truthfully.

The other critical aspect it highlights is the importance of being truthful to God and ourselves about our failings. John writes, “⁸ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” Living by the value of truth means owning our shortcomings. It means admitting to ourselves that we have fallen short, and not deceiving ourselves or others by twisting other people’s perceptions of reality in order to present ourselves in a better light. Truth does not seek to deceive or manipulate to protect one’s image. Truth seeks to understand the reality about oneself in order to figure out the hard work that needs doing to become more like Christ, and it welcomes others telling the truth even when it hurts.

Lord Jesus, the Lord of Truth – Truth is hard work. It often feels painful. But I know it is an instrument in Your hand to refine me and grow me into Your image. So today I will seek to surrender to the truth. Help me to do that well. In Your Name I pray. Amen.