What is conscious reality? First, let me tell you how much I love My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. And I love the old version more than the updated version because I like having to question, search for and discover the meaning of the old terms. The March 16 entry is titled, “The Master Will Judge” but the original was “The master assizes.” To assize something means we will hold a judicial inquest. We don’t use the term “assize” much any more.
Unconscious Unreality
The last sentence of the original says, “The deadliest Pharisaism to-day is not hypocrisy, but unconscious unreality.” The updated version says “The deadliest attitude of the Pharisees that we exhibit today is not hypocrisy but that which comes from unconsciously living a lie.”
Ask God to show you where you unconsciously live with something unreal. Do you consider yourself generous, but only give a single-digit percentage of your time or money? (This is the first thing that pops to mind for me.) Or do you consider yourself honest but you’re not precise in how you let others believe you. I spoke with a friend yesterday and he talked about people who say something is “done” when they still plan to do it. Then when they hit a snag, they’re wrong. They could have got it done and then said it or they could have more clearly said, “I plan to do it right after this call and I’ll text you when it’s complete.”
Just Ask
Where are we unconsciously unaware of our own untruths? Do we have the guts to ask others? Would you ask your spouse what they think is your biggest blind spot? What about close friends? Or people at church? Would you ask your pastor or your most spiritual friend to look for blind spots and make you aware of them?
“But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”
1 John 1:7 ESV
Chambers mentions 1 John 1:7. When we walk in the light, we are visible to God and to one another. We have true fellowship. We can be aware of our blind spots and we can humbly address them. Another verse that lines up with this is 1 Corinthians 10:12 “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (NIV).
Conscious Reality
God desires that you become consciously real. Truth has nothing to hide. Avoid unconsciously living a lie. Ask God to show you your blind spots. Because our blind spots make us look like Pharisees to the rest of the world.
Photo by Jared Murray on Unsplash
