Sometimes, the hardest person to be honest with is ourselves.
“The deception of others is nearly always rooted in the deception of ourselves.”
Bill W., AA Co-Founder, This Matter of Honesty, August 1961
We convince ourselves our motives are good, our behavior is justified, or our shortcomings aren’t really shortcomings. Before long, we start believing our own stories.
But growth begins when we’re willing to face the truth about ourselves. None of us are perfect. We all fall short (Romans 3:23).
Honesty requires courage. It means inviting God to shine His light into the places we’d rather keep hidden.
Psalm 139:23–24 offers us a powerful prayer:
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
Psalm 139:23-24 ESV
God doesn’t expose our shortcomings to shame us. He brings them into the light so we can grow, change, and experience the freedom that comes with truth.
Before you worry about being honest with others, make sure you’re being honest with yourself.
Until my next post…
Be salty, stay lit.
Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™
© 2026 Rainer Bantau | The Devotional Guy™ | All Rights Reserved
This is such an important reminder. Real growth begins when we stop justifying our actions and courageously invite God to reveal what’s in our hearts. Honesty with ourselves may be uncomfortable, but it leads to freedom, healing, and lasting change.
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