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I am meditating on faith and truth this week –

John 4:23-24: But the hour is coming, and now is, when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Spirit and truth…
God’s truth: not concealed, not ignorance, not our own perceptions…
God’s Spirit: rational soul, vital principle… not our own feelings

We have become lovers of having our ears tickled rather than lovers of truth; We point fingers at what we believe others should do different, but don’t look at our own hearts; we build up a façade and convince ourselves that is real instead of actually being real and living truth.

1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Recently did a lesson on the hall of faith – Hebrews 11.
Faith means conviction of truth. Faith well-placed in someone or something which is true reliable sustains us. Faith placed in people or things which are not true, or which do not have integrity can crush our spirits.

The phrase conviction of truth reminds me of a trial. We know that through trials often we either prove our faith or our faith fails… Depending on whether or not our faith was well-placed.

1 Peter 1:6-8 NKJV 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been [a]grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

This year, we have seen so many trials which have sifted and tested our faith. I don’t know about you, it was clear from early in the year that this would be the year of challenges. I personally believe this is one of those things God is using for good, which test and verifies if our faith is well-placed, if it is able to withstand the test for integrity, or if it has been placed in our perception of the way things are rather than the reality of what they are.

Truth stands the test, the challenge… in fact, truth usually grows stronger by the challenge. Falsehood must hide behind diversions, accusations and sidestepping facts. Trials are also character tests and so not fun, but at the same time bring about necessary change! We whine, we make excuses, we justify our actions, we project our feelings onto others and we throw up a photo-shopped picture of how we want life to look. That picture can be a great goal, but if nothing changes to make it a reality, it can be a harsh reminder of what life is missing.

A truth challenge rips away the façade a looks at the root facts and causes. A truth challenge often leads to positive change – IF.we.see.and.accept.the.truth.

Worship in Spirit and Truth led me to contemplate the Spirit of Truth… how do you worship in Spirit and Truth if you do not have nor heed the Spirit of Truth? As I consider the Spirit of truth, I think of Mark 4:22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.

God does not have a point system for our sins or attitude, but in my opinion, the worst part is when we pretend, when we complacently accept evil and even condone it in certain areas of life… when we call good “bad” and bad “acceptable.” Oh how we must grieve our Heavenly Father… This is not who or what He created us to be.

When we actually realize how much falsehood we allow into our hearts, we can change it. It creeps in so slowly, we forgive the initial “white lies” then gradually get where we begin to accept the more blatant lies and ignore that which is right before us.

We cannot hide behind excuses and self-righteousness. Mankind BELIEVES he knows the truth, but the Spirit IS the truth and reveals the true heart of man… the colors of chameleons run in His presence.

Which comes first, worship in spirit or truth? Does it not take the Spirit of Truth to reveal truth and to teach our spirit to truly worship? Oh Spirit reveal YOUR truth in my heart.