So, what is the critical element for change? What is THIS? What is that point where you stay the same or change? It is one of two things:

• Truth and Reality or
• Lies, Deception, and Bad Assumptions

You will know which one as you look at where your life goes from that point or get someone to review your decision compared to God’s Word.

Lies and deception lead to unexpected consequences, regrets, grief, and even slavery to addictions. You end up just like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, wondering how things got this way. Deception always looks like something good but ends up bad. For King David, it seemed right to be with Bathsheba. He rationalized it to be acceptable so much that he had Uriah killed.

It seems so right, just like Eve’s statement about the tree.

Genesis 3:6 (NKJV) – So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

But there were unexpected consequences.

Genesis 3:7 (NKJV) – Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

Truth or Reality is just the opposite. It often does not look easy. Flawed thinking driving your emotions will tell you the right way is the wrong way. But if you choose the truth, there are rewards, wisdom, and freedom; all are mostly unexpected.

A good example from my life is when Louie and I were asked by our authorities to tell the church about our marital problems. I was an Elder in the church, and Louie was the teaching director of a significant women’s Bible study in the community. We stood in front of those assemblies and told them about our sin, which was necessary because we were leaders.

That was not something that we wanted to do, and our emotions did not support it. All we could see is the humiliation and others knowing the truth about us.

We eventually experienced peace, joy, and the benefit of not wasting any energy trying to hide what had happened. It was in the open, and all who wanted to know could know. It was also a great blessing for restoring our marriage because it put Louie and me together, equally blamable in the eyes of everyone, and together as broken human beings.

Even though it was painful, that one action was critical in providing a faster path to restoration and healing for Louie and me.

Reality or truth provides largely unexpected rewards, wisdom, and freedom!!

If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth – only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair.  – C.S. Lewis

It is your choice.

Hebrews 3:13 (NKJV) – …but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

The Lord is dedicated to your growth. What are you leaving unchanged, even though it has been repeatedly brought to your attention? You have two options: you will make the change, or you will not.