Why is it so hard for us be honest with God?
Aug 21, 2010
The Base for Grace - part ten in a study of the book of Hebrews
Mike Gaudet
We say “right things” to God . . .
. . . not “real things.”
Why is it so hard for us be honest with God?
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.” Hebrews 4:13-5:2
God tells us that we may “approach the throne of grace with confidence.”
“Confidence” means “the ability speak freely” with someone. In our dealings with Him, God gives us “freedom of speech.” He encourages us to enter His presence and speak openly with Him without fearing His censure or reprisal.
Speaking freely with God does not come naturally to us. We hold back from speaking openly with Him for the same reasons we don’t speak freely with one another . . .
Pretense
Fear
Shame
Pretense causes us to be selective in what we say to someone else. We share only those things that will elicit the desired reaction. Pretense also causes us to be selective in our dealings with God. We tell Him what we think He wants to hear.
Since “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight,” it doesn’t make sense to pretend with God. He judges “the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” He sees beneath the surface of our actions. He knows what we are thinking and feeling. We can’t hide anything from Him.
God knows everything. We don’t need to pretend with Him.
Fear keeps us from speaking freely because of the consequences of admitting the truth. We hold back from saying everything in order to protect ourselves. Fear also causes us to shrink away from telling God about our true feelings and struggles. We imagine that what we tell Him will anger Him.
God is safe to talk to. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to be our “great high priest” because we all struggle with sin. A high priest is an expert at helping people who wrestle with sinful thoughts, attitudes and actions. Because Jesus is our high priest, He “is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray.”
Jesus is our High Priest. We don’t need to be afraid of God.
Shame causes us to conceal the truth from others. We have a hard time being honest when we are embarrassed by what we’ve thought, said or done. Shame also causes us to hold back from telling God everything. We imagine that what we tell Him will disappoint or disgust Him.
Because “Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses,” we can speak freely with God. Someone who sympathizes with us is easy to talk to. God sympathizes with us. He doesn’t make us feel defective when we’re honest with Him. There is no need to hide anything from him.
God sympathizes with us. We don’t need to be ashamed to be honest with Him.
Do you feel distant from God? Is it hard for you to speak openly with Him?
Remember . . .
. . . God knows everything. You don’t need to pretend.
. . . Jesus is your High Priest. You don’t need to be afraid.
. . . God sympathizes with you. You don’t have to be ashamed.
Go ahead . . .
. . . Approach God’s throne.
. . . Speak freely with Him.
. . . God wants you to “receive mercy and grace to help in time of need.”