The Lens of Truth

Last weekend my husband and I took a drive into the mountains where we spent two nights away.  It was a sunny day, and I rode along with my sunglasses on, “Ooo-ing” and “Ahhh-ing” over the colors of the trees as we climbed the higher altitude.

At some point during our drive, I took my glasses off, only to discover that my colored lenses had really enhanced the autumn hues.  The  trees were pretty, but not peaked yet, as I had thought.   My colored lenses had changed the scenery to look even better than real life! Taking it a step further –  I liked the difference those glasses made so much that I took the picture above from behind its lenses!

Hmmm, don’t I prefer to look through those kind of colored lenses at myself when there is a possibility that I have not responded correctly to a situation?!  I much rather believe that I am justified in my anger, have a right to refuse to forgive, to enjoy my laziness, neglect to share the Gospel, or to tell a friend about what someone did to me. Colored lenses in place.  Everything’s beautiful!  I’m just fine, thank you!

Pulling off the colored lenses and seeing things as they really are means seeing the truth as revealed in God’s Word – the truth about the condition of my heart.

Every word of God is pure:

he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Proverbs 30:5

I open God’s Word and the clear, beautiful Truth shines in, bringing conviction.  I see my sin as it really is.  Why?  Because God’s Word is pure, true, right.  Shining up against my sin, I see the result of my ugly choices and how they distort and change the real condition of my life before my Savior Who loves me enough to point out my sin and protect me from further consequences.

Now it’s decision time – will I obey or continue to fool myself with the colored lenses of self-adulation?

I will confess.  I will turn from the error and see what needs to be forsaken.  And you know what?  God allows confession and getting things right to be the most beautiful part of my day.  I can then see His grace shining through, allowing me to walk in victory, and for His glory, to point to the cross!

From now on, when I view the beauty of the scenery, I’ll enjoy the additional intensity my colored lenses give, but will remember how much better it is to view myself through the clear lens of Truth found in God’s Word!

Is there a sin in your life that you are justifying?  How does it line up with God’s Word?  I pray you’ll see the need to look at it clearly  and honestly and get things right between you and the Lord, if necessary.  It’s a beautiful sight to see a believer in fellowship with God!