People who are wayward & self deceived create their own brand of ‘truth.’ People who want to justify their own intentions and behavior will rationalize anything they can. Pride, arrogance, hubris…all rooted in the desire to be your own god and create your own flexible definitions of right and wrong. They flatter themselves, blind themselves and their hearts reject any attempt at correction. Rebuke them and all the claws and teeth, backed by an irrational anger, are bared and ready to strike. When their life is in shambles, going nowhere, they sit confused, frustrated and yet blame everyone else. They have made their bed in ignorance. They eat, sleep and breathe sin, thinking it praiseworthy. They surround themselves with voices that encourage their journey, and hold anyone who bears truth at arms length. They pat themselves on the back, and others like them, whose self-made worldview echoes their own.

But those who fear the Lord? They value the honest-with-God truth. They listen to correction and appreciate concern. God’s ways are best in their eyes and hearts, and their praises for Him are plainly echoed in all they do. They acknowledge God’s sovereign authority, and they live accordingly, thankfully and in His love.

“1 An oracle within my heart
concerning the transgression of the wicked person:
There is no dread of God before his eyes,
2 for in his own eyes he flatters himself too much
to discover and hate his sin.
3 The words of his mouth are malicious and deceptive;
he has stopped acting wisely and doing good.
4 Even on his bed he makes malicious plans.
He sets himself on a path that is not good
and does not reject evil.

5 Lord, Your faithful love reaches to heaven,
Your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains;
Your judgments, like the deepest sea.
Lord, You preserve man and beast.
7 God, Your faithful love is so valuable
that people take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
8 They are filled from the abundance of Your house;
You let them drink from Your refreshing stream,
9 for with You is lifes fountain.
In Your light we will see light.

10 Spread Your faithful love over those who know You,
and Your righteousness over the upright in heart.
11 Do not let the foot of the arrogant man come near me
or the hand of the wicked one drive me away.
12 There the evildoers fall;
they have been thrown down and cannot rise.”