Am I W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G.? Are you?

If you spend a hundred bucks and buy the right software, you can create web pages the easy way, or you can save the money and struggle writing it all in HyperText Mark-up Language (HTML). With HTML, you have to imagine what each finished page will look like. With web-design software, nothing is left for you to figure out: "What You See Is What You Get" (WYSIWYG). The same is true of a number of different computer graphics applications. The best software is always WYSIWYG.

From the very beginning of the human race, God has wanted us to be WYSIWYG. Sin is what prompted the fig leaves and all the other means of hiding what we really are, think, and do. Yet God keeps calling us back to the open transparency of Eden.

The sage of Jerusalem put it this way: "The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook" (Prov. 18:4). In other words, just as you don't know what's at the bottom of a deep-flowing river, you can't tell whether people's words truly reveal their intentions, unless they are wise enough to be as clear as a bubbling brook.

Paul told the Thessalonians that his motives were obvious; he had nothing to hide (1 Thess. 2:3-6). He tells the Corinthians he has laid his mouth and his heart open, as if for their inspection (2 Cor. 6:11), and he denies having used any manipulation (2 Cor. 7:2).

We Christians must learn to be WYSIWYG people, with regard to confessing our sins (1 John 1:9), revealing our motives (1 Cor. 4:5), and, like Jesus, communicating clearly (John 18:20; Col. 4:4). When people can trust us as easily as a hiker who steps into a bubbling brook, they can learn to trust the One of whom we speak: the Savior whose motives and whose love are always as transparent as crystal. Nobody likes to be manipulated or deceived.

Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles on subjects of interest to Bible students. He has taught Greek, Bible, and religious studies courses Bible college, university, and adult education programs. He has taught seminars and workshops in 11 states and the Caribbean.

Go to his DeeperStudy.org for Bible study resources, no matter what your level of expertise. Explore "The Shallows," plumb "The Depths," or use the well-organized "Study Links" for original sources in English translation. Sign up for Steve's free "DeeperStudy Newsletter."

---

Are You Facing Some Challenges?

Are you facing some challenges in your life right now?... Read More

Spirit and the Mind-Body Team

Your mind-body team is made up of your mind and... Read More

The Healing Power Of Forgiveness

Forgiveness breaks all bounds of repression and depression. It liberates... Read More

Why Would You Want to be Enlightened?

Yesterday, a marketing guru asked me a question that left... Read More

Wear the Message of Grace: A Work Weeks Devotions

As the artist and designer for Ashbach Designs, I want... Read More

The Death of God, the Mission of Modern Psychology, and Me

The question, "Is God Dead?", first entered my consciousness when... Read More

Animal Spirits: Power Animals and Guides

We shamans are a strange breed.....often we tend to isolate... Read More

Gods and Energy

An interesting question that frequently comes up is "Which Gods... Read More

Let Your Will, Not Mine, Be Done

Can I be honest with you? There are days when... Read More

True Health

Some may ask, is there any truth to have a... Read More

Diversity Not Assimilation

Good morning Roy, good morning Joseth. (Channelled)From time to time... Read More

Renee?s Mommy is Here

I still remember the scene vividly. I was getting out... Read More

A Word Filty Spoken

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in... Read More

Searchable by Jesus

Some people go to physics and spiritual readers for advice... Read More

Allowing Joy

"Ask and it shall be given" is a phrase we... Read More

Inner Beauty ? Finding the Source

In Corrogue I am seeking the source of inner beauty.This... Read More

Livin On A Prayer

When I was a child, I thought as a child,... Read More

Be Still

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God;I... Read More

How A Grudge Can Affect You

As we go through life we all have to deal... Read More

Higher Self: Growing Inside of Us

Maybe once in a lifetime, we find ourselves seeking spiritual... Read More

Recognizing Self

I come face to face with self whenever you come... Read More

New Century; Same Old Story

In His graciousness, God has blessed us to enter a... Read More

Thinking Out Loud (Questions) Part one of a two part Series

(Channeled)Roy-when does the end of physical life come? Is it... Read More

Unfinished Business (Part 1)

Most of life can be said to be bad, or... Read More

The Garden of Agony (Part 1)

Eden, the garden of ecstasy is no longer available to... Read More

Life is like Golf

In the golfing world, yesterday may have been one of... Read More

Your Hidden Portal to Peace

Want more peace and joy in your life? Daily stress... Read More

Esoteric Sexual Secrets

AN ARISTOCRATIC UPBRINGING:There are many people who write about sex... Read More

Sunday Dinner

No one appreciates mothers enough. In this life, that's a... Read More

Be Aware of the Supreme Deceiver (Part 1)

One cannot read the account of Benhadad and Hazael in... Read More

An Analysis of Western Mans Guiding Presuppositions

An analysis of Western man's guiding presuppositions, A Review of... Read More

Two Simple Ways To Get Anything You Want

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,... Read More

The Science of Enlightenment

I would like to share my experience, working with the... Read More