I’m Daniel Whyte III and you’re listening to The Man in the Mirror, Episode 89
This podcast is directed to all young people, but primarily to young black men, young black women, and their parents. We are thankful for all the people who are standing up for justice and racial equality. But this podcast is about the man in the mirror. What are you doing for the glory of God, to make life better for others, for your family, and for yourself? This podcast is about living life in such a way that it cuts back on the chance of being harassed or killed by the authorities or anyone else and helps you to live the good life of peace and joy.
Psalm 119:9 says, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”
Jim Rohn said, “You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself.”
Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
In keeping with our theme of dealing with the man (or woman) in the mirror, we are going to continue discussing the building of important biblical character traits in your life. Today, we are looking at the quality of Truthfulness, Part 1 from the Institute in Basic Life Principles.
Truthfulness vs. Deception
Truthfulness is communicating by life and word that which is genuine and accurate.
One Hebrew word for truth is ’emeth. It means “stability, certainty, sureness.” It is from the root word ’aman, which means “to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; fig. to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent. It is also translated as steadfast and verified.
When Jesus emphasized truth, He often said the word verily twice, as in John 3:3 “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Verily is a derivative of the root word ’aman.
What Does Truth Do?
There is power in truth, because it is the very essence of God and the means by which He carries out His work in the world.
Truth brings us into Christ—James 1:18 says, “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures”.
Truth brings us to the light—John 3:21 says, “He that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God”.
Truth purifies our souls—I Peter 1:22 says, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently”.
Truth frees us—John 8:32 says, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”. Truth frees us by tearing down false ideas and conclusions that keep us in fear and bondage. II Corinthians 10:4–5 says, “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”.
Now, in closing, in order to be saved — in order to get right with God — you cannot look at the man in the mirror, but the Man Christ Jesus. First Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, here is how.
John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that -whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can have a home in Heaven. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
God bless you.
The Man in the Mirror 