“This above all: to thine own self be true and it must follow, as the night the day thou canst not then be false to any man.” Polonias, Hamlet, Shakespeare

I don’t know about you but I had the true meaning of this wrong for years. In context to the play, the times and the author, it offered multiple possibilities by design. So it was for me that I too believe as many that it meant to be true to you nature, and do not be someone you are not.

This morning as I pondered my life experiences in context to that belief I discovered I had no idea who I was as a boy, a young man or an adult. It is rather difficult to be true to self when you do not even know yourself.

What I discovered is the only truth that fits all mankind in context to the play, our identities and our experiences. It is this, do not lie to yourself. There is no greater danger in life than to entertain the father of lies in the whispers that fill your head and heart as to your true identity.

Psalms 25:8, 32:8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Key to the understanding of not lying to yourself are those last words; I will guide thee with mine eye. Seeing yourself as God sees you rather than listening to the whisperer.

If you repeat a lie enough, you will begin to believe it. If you believe it, you will act on it. Often I have discovered that what God says about us does not match our actions. If God does not change and in Him there is no variance, then how can what we think change what God has said? It cannot and does not.

Psalms 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

The older I get the more I know. I’ve learned so much that I now know nothing. It seems that way at least. When I was young I knew it all. Fifty years later I can look back at the things I know now and can honestly admit, there is more knowledge out there than I will ever know. Is that wisdom? No.

Wisdom as it says here is an application. Wisdom must apply to life to have any value at all. Learning is burning your hand on a hot stove. Wisdom is not doing it again. That is why this psalm verse begins with teach us. This life we live with God is a learning experience, but what value does it have if we do not apply wisdom gained?

The vision of an all wise guru sitting on a mountain top is a good illustration. He sits and waits alone for those who will make the effort to climb to the top in order to hear him speak. It is a waste of wisdom for it does nothing.

The application of wisdom is in living.

In this same venue, what value is there in coming to Christ and come away to only say I met Him once and not live the life He gives you? None.

Wisdom says live, Christ says love. Where is wisdom in keeping the love of Christ to yourself? Do not be a love guru sitting afar of waiting for seekers to find you.

Get out there and live. Get out there and love.

That is wisdom applied.