Making truth my identity

Truth has been dismantled in our society. 

When people are engulfed in the lies of the world, they steer conversations to those lies and false doctrines even when these are obviously irrelevant to the conversation. From this attachment to the lies manifests a behavioral approach of defending their attachment by offending. Being on the offensive stifles truth. It is a self-protection mechanism as the lies have become part of their identity. Truth, however, cannot be extinguished. Because of this, another self-lie is created, that of believing they have successfully overcome truth with their lies. In any conversation, people can rapidly digress into such a multi-layered façade. 

Then how do we evangelize? All we can do is plant seeds. But merely speaking our opinion isn’t the same as planting seeds. Opinions are like seeds thrown onto the ground. Most are eaten by birds and some are blown away by the wind. Planting seeds, on the other hand, begins with the Holy Spirit’s work in our own heart. We then become His instrument to prepare the soil in the other person’s heart for planting. 

Just as God through an angel prepared Elijah for his ‘task’ ahead (1 Kings 19:4-8), there is a need for our own purification. ‘Purification’ begins with responding to grace by willing to stop sinning. Biting the tongue to prevent harmful words, examining your thoughts, and resolutions for change are just the beginning. Asking yourself ‘why’ you have these thoughts and behaviors, and talking with God in mental prayer, brings Him into the underlying wounds and associated fears. It is when these are healed that the heart is purified. In the process, more of Him resides in us. And in our conversations, His Spirit gives us speech. The seeds are planted, not just tossed out into the air. The seeds of truth can connect them to Him who is the Vine (John 15:1). And for we who are made in His image and likeness, He who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) becomes our identity. 

To change our opinions into seeds of truth begins with the cleansing of the need to change the other person’s thinking. The need to change others is our need, centered in “me”. Rather, we should endeavor with zeal to desire to help others dispose themselves to being changed by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit must make them ready to hear truth. 

In every storm, beautiful clouds exist. Despite the wind, hail, and other damaging forces, the clouds remain as a speechless witness of beauty, each in its own way. So too the human person, unique and unrepeatable. Deeper than their pain lies the beautiful soul, glowing as a reflection of His love. And with eyes of faith, we will be able to see with love. 

Each person is a unique, unrepeatable creation of God. Other forms of creation leave us inspired as we stand in awe of Him who created it.  We should stand in awe of Him in people too, as each reflects His creative beauty, power, and goodness. The human person is His masterpiece above all other creation. Let us remember to look for the hidden masterpiece in one another. 

Brothers and sisters:

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,

with which you were sealed for the day of redemption.

All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling

must be removed from you, along with all malice.

And be kind to one another, compassionate,

forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love,

as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us

as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma. (Ephesians 4:30-5:2)

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam 😊

(Image from Unsplash)