Honesty Vs Denial
Honesty. Why is being honest at the root of true freedom? We, The Garden Project, have discovered that the truth really does set us free. It first must start with being truthful about our heart condition. When we cast off denial, embracing truth, we will encounter the one who is truth, Jesus. When we choose denial, we are keeping concepts alive and not opening ourselves up for a different experience. Most people avoid being fully honest because it will be painful. We haven’t been taught to sit in pain and GRIEVE WELL. When we grieve well, we heal, and we discover grace, joy and freedom.
For example, instead of trying to declare shame or insecurity away, why not just tell God you walk in shame and insecurity? Or perhaps you find yourself being angry a lot in your life. Instead of trying to be angry less often, get curious and ask God WHY.
Christians tend to ignore the heart or offer true solutions in a trite way.
When we choose dishonesty, we choose betrayal. We betray ourselves and get stuck in the cycle of betrayal with ourselves and with others.
When we stay in denial we don’t grow. We were made to grow. Growth and change are possible, surprising, and a process.
Honesty in your memories removes lies and reclaims self. Honesty about our past is the step to replacing our righteousness with His. Honesty leads to repentance which leads to bold love. Humility and brokenness attract the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 3:9-11 TPT
“My passion is to be consumed with him and not cling to my own righteousness based in keeping the written Law. My only righteousness will be his, based on the faithfulness of Jesus Christ—the very righteousness that comes from God. And I continually long to know the wonders of Jesus and to experience the overflowing power of his resurrection working in me. I will be one with him in his sufferings and become like him in his death. Only then will I be able to experience complete oneness with him in his resurrection from the realm of death.”
Denial is the number one enemy of honesty. Denial is ignoring reality to avoid anxiety. It’s a coping skill for distress. It does not acknowledge reality and denies consequences of that reality. Denial will keep you from being able to honestly grieve.
Denial exposes these 3 things:
I construct my own world/truth
I am god
I make the rules
Denial is a form of protection and reveals a lack of trust in reality and it exposes your god. Denial is an illusion of control and false security. It strips you of identity and replaces adventure with judgement. Denial attempts to heal apart from relationship, choosing numbness instead of vulnerability.
Solution to denial:
Pick up your cross, and follow Him (Luke 9:23-24)
Confront mistrust and restore curiosity in these places
Discover His presence in every situation
