Being honest with yourself: Wisdom from the Psalms

One theme that runs throughout Psalm 15 is integrity. And as I read verse 2, it really struck me.

In one translation, it reads this way,

“[He] speaks truth in his heart.” (ESV)

Another reads,

[He] acknowledges the truth in his heart.” (CSB).

It is impossible for us to people of integrity if we cannot even be honest with ourselves.

If we lie to ourselves about our motivations, our weaknesses, our failings, our sins, we will find ourselves in all kinds of trouble.

By lying to ourselves about these things, we can justify any sin we do, any wrong action we take.

“I don’t really have a problem with my attitude. Everyone just misunderstands me.”

“I don’t really have a problem with pride, lust, (or whatever your sin may be). Sure I fall sometimes, but doesn’t everyone?”

“I know the Bible says this is sin, but my case is special because….”

We can’t live that way. And the problem is, the more we tell ourselves these lies, the more we start to believe them.

As the old saying goes, “The worst kind of deception is self-deception.”

How about you? Do you acknowledge truth in your own heart? Or do you try to hide from it?