Daily Journal: 14 July

A Full and Fair Assessment

Would you like greater discernment in your day? Do you seek greater insight for what is happening in and around you? Do you need greater wisdom in how you respond?

By putting our own reactions aside, keeping our soul responses quiet, and listening to the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit, we can receive those things.

James 1:19 (NIV)

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry

There are so many ways that people speak to suit themselves but fail to give a full and fair assessment of what they’re saying. Conversations quickly divert down a rabbit hole that covers up the truth. Confusion is part of Satan’s strategy to disarm and weaken people but truth spoken in love brings life and honour into every situation.

Honest scales are important to God.

Deuteronomy 25:15-16 (NLV)

You must have a full and fair weight. You must have a fair way to show how big something is. Then you will live long in the land the Lord your God gives you. For the Lord hates everyone who does such things, who lies and is not fair.

This verse refers to financial transactions but we can apply it to any situation because it deals with something that is very important to God – justice. How should we respond if something is being swung in one person’s favour but is unfair to another? Should we just ‘let it go’? Should we step in when we hear dishonesty, especially when the person who is being dishonoured is vulnerable? This can happen in small, almost imperceptible ways just as much as it can in blatant dishonesty.

Our conscience needs to be a full and fair scale that measures our responses and reactions.

God has given a conscience to each person for that very purpose, no matter what kind of transaction we are part of.

1 Timothy 1:19 (NOG)

Some have refused to let their faith guide their conscience and their faith has been destroyed like a wrecked ship.

But if we need wisdom, we should ask God for it. God’s wisdom helps us to make wise and accurate assessments that bring about successful transactions.

James 1:5 (NLT)

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

God's wisdom enables us to make a full and fair assessment on every occasion if we seek Him with a clear conscience and put our faith into action.

Can you recall a time where you have trusted God's wisdom and been guided by discernment?

I pray that as we ask God for that wisdom today, we will hold full and fair weights in every discourse and transaction, and we will be assured by a peaceful response without defence or argument.