The Importance of Preaching God’s Truth to Yourself and Others
I am not a preacher, but I am preaching truth to myself these days! I’m not preaching carefully crafted sermons with three solid points and illustrated stories. Rather the message to myself is a simple truth about who God is and what that means for me today.
I like to pick a word each year to search the scriptures for that word or concept to focus my attention on.
So, my word for the year 2023 is TRUTH because I know I need to build my life on something that is certain instead of on my fickle feelings that fail me.
Becoming truth-filled requires purpose, practice, and prayer, and in the process, I’ve learned what the Psalmist knows to be true in Psalm 145:18: “The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in TRUTH!”
Why would I want to preach truth to myself? I believe my purpose in life is to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, and mind so that I can love my neighbors as Christ has commanded me to (Matthew 22:37-39).
Honestly, I cannot love God until I know Him. So, I’m learning about His character as I read His Word, where I search for truth that transforms my mind and stirs my heart to live differently. My knowledge of God also informs how I feel.
Some examples of truth that have influenced how I respond in daily living:
I read about God being my hope in Psalm 131:3, and I find myself feeling hopeful as I pray through the long list of serious concerns from friends and family.
I read that God’s beloved Son, Jesus, secured my salvation with redemption and forgiveness of sins in Colossians 1:13-14, and I remember that my salvation came at a cost. It is a precious gift and it’s meant to be shared. So, I am compelled to share this gift of salvation with someone. Before I can have conversations with others about Jesus, I’ve preached to myself truth until it is applied to how I live.
I read that God’s steadfast love is for me and endures forever in Psalm 138:8, so I receive this love and look for opportunities to share that which lasts forever with family, friends, and neighbors.
I read in Psalm 30:8,10 that God is merciful so that when someone is rude to me or mistreats me, I am more inclined to extend mercy to them! I am also ready to receive His generous mercy when I sinfully return rudeness with a sharp reply or malice. God’s mercy is great, for me and for others! (2 Samuel 24:14 & 1 Chronicles 21:13)
Rehearsing truth statements about God’s character informs my mind about who He is and grows my heart to love Him and live for Him daily.
What does the process of preaching truth messages to myself look like?
My practice begins in the morning when I rise and read God’s Word. I focus on who God is, and I write down a characteristic about Him in my journal and pray about that truth to start my day. Some days I get a phone call from someone who is hurting or needs advice, and that gives me an opportunity to share truth about God with them, and this truth informs how I might pray with them or advise them in decision-making.
At the end of the day, when I am weary and worn out, I remember that God is my rest, so I lie down and sleep in peace (Psalm 4:8), knowing that I dwell in safety. Sometimes I share this encouraging verse as a prayer for someone who is struggling with sleep and peace.
Admittedly, it takes a lot of practice to preach truth, and this leads to understanding and wisdom in fearing the Lord (Psalm 111:10). We can know Him by his character and by His great works, and when we study, we get to delight in Him (Psalm 111:2).
Reading and studying the Bible, journaling and praying through what I know to be true about God, and preaching simple sermons to myself grow me to become truth-filled. And when I’m truth-filled, I have the privilege of spilling out some truth to others to help them find and follow Jesus with me.
After all, Jesus is the way, the TRUTH, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him! (John 14:6)
