The Pathology of Truth
by Dr. Randall Worley (Real and Relevant)
It is difficult to know why we do what we do. Our motives are often very mercurial. We all know what it is like to have the subliminal audio incessantly playing with gnawing questions of "why did I do that", "why did I say that" pulling us into a vortex of self doubt. Am I selfish or selfless? Am I prideful or clothed in humility? Do I need to be noticed or am I content to be anonymous in my acts of kindness. Trying to sort it out in our psyche alone compounds our confusion.
Psalm 51:6 drips with the pathos of David coming to the realization that only God can reveal to us true motives. "Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt me me to know wisdom." David was describing in graphic language the means by which God reveals what our motives really are. Being a part of a culture that practiced animal sacrifice he had witnessed the procedure and the attention given to detail. The priest of the Old Testament functioned with surgical percision when offering an animal sacrifice in worship. Using a knife as sharp as a scapel the animals jugular was severed allowing the blood to drain till in minutes it lay lifeless on the ground. Next the priest would meticulously insert the knife at the base of the animal skull running down its spine until it had been fileted. Stooping over the carcass with the steam of its life force evaporating the priest began the examination of every organ. Reaching into the body cavity the heart, lungs, kidneys, and bowels were examined to see if there was any sign of disease. The sacrifice was unsuitable if there was any abnormality found.
What connection did David see in this gruesome practice with his visceral questions of motive? The animal being offered could appear to be healthy externally but be carrying something internally that was only exposed when opened up. Hebrew 4:12 says that the word of God is "sharper than any two edged sword dividing assunder the soul from the spirit, penetrating to joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." It is difficult to ascertain what is coming from our soul and what coming from our spirit. Allowing the word of the Lord to penetrate past the veneer of our personality to the internal source of our actions puts us in touch with "truth in the inward parts." This is His desire. My bowels can be contaminated with bitterness rather than filled with compassion. My heart might be enlarged with pride rather than humiltiy. My kidneys could be toxic with unforgiveness rather functioning in unconditional love. May His desire become ours. Truth in the inward parts.
- Andre
by Online Form
August 23rd, 2010 (11:08)