May 26: Truth in the Heart
Who gets to live close to God?
“LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.”
David asks the question directly. Lord, who shall dwell in Your tent? Who shall live on Your holy hill? Then he answers. One who walks blamelessly, does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart.
That last phrase is interesting. Not just truth with his lips. Truth in his heart.
You can be honest out loud and still lie to yourself inside. You can tell your sponsor the facts while privately believing a story that keeps you comfortable. They were mostly to blame. It wasn’t really that bad. I’m basically fine now.
Step Five asks you to admit your wrongs to God, to another person, and to yourself. That middle part, admitting it to yourself, is where truth in the heart lives. It’s the quiet honesty that happens when nobody else is watching or listening.
That kind of honesty isn’t about beating yourself up. It’s about seeing clearly. It also means being honest about the good. If you’re making progress, admit it. If you’re stronger than you were, admit that too.
Psalm 15 goes on to describe other marks of a person with integrity. They don’t slander. They don’t do evil to their neighbor. They keep their word even when it hurts. That’s a high bar. None of us clear it perfectly. That’s why we need grace.
But this psalm shows the direction. Integrity isn’t a performance. It starts inside, in the heart, and works its way out into how you treat people.
The good news is that you don’t climb God’s holy hill by your own strength. Jesus walked blamelessly in your place. Because of Him, you’re welcomed in. And from that place of welcome, you grow in truth.
One thing today
Spend five quiet minutes asking yourself one question: what am I still telling myself that isn’t quite true? Write down whatever comes. Talk about it with your sponsor this week.
A prayer
Lord, I want truth not just on my lips, but in my heart. Show me the stories I’m still telling myself. Thank You for welcoming me because of Jesus. Help me grow honest from the inside out. Amen.
More on Step Five.
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