Day 3 Devotional - 10/31/24
As I go along this journey of trying to reconnect with God and instill spiritual discipline, I had to go back to my personal basic issue: people-pleasing. As I was reading the guided plan, I was introduced to these verses:
Col. 3:9 ESV
"Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices"
Ephesians 4:15 ESV
"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ"
1 Peter 3:10 NLT
"If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies".
There was one thing that really struck me while reading all these. I WAS A BIG LIAR. To be able to please people, I always resort to lying. Possibly, because I don't want to hurt their feelings, comfort them when I know what they did is not even justifiable but because they are a friend or someone I love, I lie. Lying is a big sin to God. I was reminded that as someone who is a follower of Christ, I should not resort to lying.
I should, however speak the truth with and in Love. One day at a time. As someone who has been people pleasing all my life, It will be a challenging journey but as I have mentioned ever since I started "treatment" (a.k.a reconnecting to God) I know that God will help me, lead me and guide me how to do this. As I conclude this daily devotion, I will bow down to him and humbly ask to help me speak the truth.. with Love.
Father God, thank you for reminding me that number 1, you hate lying. Number 2, Lying is a tool in people pleasing and Number 3, My main goal is not to please man but you. With this, I will open up my heart as you heal and help me overcome people pleasing. Thank you for your everlasting love. And PS, to be honest I really enjoy talking to you these past few days. Please help me make this a habit. I love you father God, but I know you love me more. What an awesome father God I have!
