The Truth Will Set You Free
- Isabella Campolattaro
- Sep 18
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 27
Author Note: Here are the first four in a series of weekly Facebook posts on the topic of repentance, aka, Steps 4-10, started a month ago. More coming all the way up through Yom Kippur on October 1. Nope, I'm not a Jew, but Jesus and early Christians observed these for decades...and many Christians still do today. Today, the idea is to honor and leverage the Spirit of this holy season to clean house.
Not to be my overly dramatic self, but this is no time to have any hindrance to our relationship with God. I know, I know...we invoke "nothing can separate us..." Well...we can separate us, with unrepentant sin (aka defects, failings, flaws). At best, it burdens our conscience and bungles our hearts, hearing, and relationships.
✨Week 4 of Elul: Twelve Truths About Truth✨
This is Week 4 of Elul, the Hebrew month of preparation before Rosh Hashanah, which starts next Monday, September 22, at sundown. Elul is a season of self-examination, repentance, and prayer. The intensity rises between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (10/1), known as the Ten Days of Awe—a final chance to repent before God.
Jesus and early believers observed these days because repentance (still) isn’t optional. It is the ongoing posture of life in Christ and recovery (Steps 4-10). Jesus invites us to be real so He can heal.
With that in mind, here are 12 Practical Truths About Truth—
✨1. Honesty is the easier, softer way.
Lies look like shortcuts, but they only complicate life and compromise conscience, character, and closeness.
Good News: Facing truth may sting in the moment, but it brings peace, healing, and clear connection.
✨2. The truth will set you free… but first it may %*&@$% you off.
Confronting truth—from within or without—hurts. But it is the doorway to freedom.
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32).
Good News: Hard facts reconcile us with God, others, and ourselves. It helps to know that your telling the truth may free the other person, too.
✨3. Lying isn’t loving.
Even “little white lies” erode intimacy and produce unintended consequences. People sense the disconnect and gaslighting is poison. Lies of any size make people feel unsafe and deceived.
Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
Good News: In Christ, we can start fresh and rebuild relationships on transparency and trust.
✨4. The father of lies wears a pretty disguise.
Evil rarely looks ugly. Scripture warns that Satan “masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14–15). He knows our vulnerabilities. His promises are bait; his end game is destruction (John 10:10).
Good News: Christ has already overcome. His Spirit is stronger, and truth keeps us safe.
✨5. Truth is easier to remember.
Lies demand constant maintenance. Forget one detail, and trust collapses.
Good News: When we abide in Jesus, the Truth (John 14:6), honesty flows more naturally. And we never have to worry about being "found out."
✨6. We’re only as sick as our secrets.
What we hold back, haunts and hinders us. Sin and shame plant roots that grow in the dark. The thing we refuse to confess, is often the very thing that keeps us stuck. A dirty conscience feels dirty.
Good News: Full confession brings full freedom.
✨7. Gains from lying don’t last.
Ill-gotten jobs, money, or relationships vanish quickly, but the damage remains.
Good News: “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22).
✨8. Dishonesty cheats us of real provision.
Saying “yes” when we mean “no,” or hiding true needs, breeds resentment (Matthew 5:37). We cannot receive what we never ask for.
Good News: God delights in our real selves. When we bring Him our honest needs, He provides according to His will.
✨9. Masks slip and can harden into narcissism.
Pretending wears us down and prevents genuine connection. We want to be loved for real. Over time, hypocrisy can calcify into self-idolatry. Jesus sternly warns hypocrites (Matthew 23) and those “having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5).
Good News: Even Saul the Pharisee was transformed into Paul the apostle. God’s mercy can meet us in honesty. Jesus wants us to be real.
✨10. Doubling down does double damage.
When caught in lies, denial, deflection, discrediting, and gaslighting wound deeper and it gets harder to humble ourselves and come clean. We may fool ourselves and others for a while, but never God.
Good News: Jesus specializes in super-powered deliverance and healing.
✨11. Denial does not change reality.
Ignoring addiction, struggles, diagnoses, loved ones, or even Christ Himself is dangerous—even deadly. Reality will eventually emerge.
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight” (Hebrews 4:13).
Good News: Admitting we’re powerless is the first step to recovering sight and healing (Luke 4:18-19)
✨12. What’s hidden will surface.
Jesus said, “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known” (Luke 12:2). Better to confess voluntarily than to be exposed.
Good News: While it can be humiliating to have our secrets exposed, Jesus reveals to heal and free. The alternative is hell. That hell.
🔥The Bad News
In recovery we say “Half-measures availed us nothing” (BB, p58) and “nothing counted but honest and thoroughness (BB, p65).” Half- truths and half-effort will not free us, and usually makes things worse.
That’s why the Four Absolutes are so handy in clearing things up right away, by penetrating our elaborate self-justification. Jesus’ absolutely perfect standard levels us, shows us where we’ve gone wrong, and yokes us to him in gratitude and dependence.
If Christ’s love doesn’t move us, fear of God may.
Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6). Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44). Persistent dishonesty opens the door to the devil and hardens hearts.
Paul warned that those who refuse truth may be given over to delusion (2 Thessalonians 2:10–12). Jesus warned that “…cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8).
This is a far more bracing truth and consequence than any secret sin, but there’s…
💖Good News
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
God does not want anyone to perish. Even his sternest warnings are meant to restore us. Hebrews 10:26–39 warns against abusing grace, but even there the invitation is to return, endure, and live. With honesty comes safety, intimacy, and peace. With deception comes destruction.
Reflect: Where have you been less than fully honest with God, yourself, or others?
Risk the freedom of confession—in prayer and with at least one trusted person. Make it right.
🕊PRAYER:
Jesus, forgive me for the ways I have been dishonest. Thank You that You long to heal the real me. Give me courage to come clean, to live in the freedom of truth, and to walk in the light of Your love. Amen.💖
Overcoming Fear with Overcoming Peace
This is Week 3 of Elul, the Hebrew month of preparation before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Elul is a time of self-examination, repentance, and prayer.
I love how the New Living Translation makes this familiar verse come alive!
I also love how Jesus doesn't qualify, "don't be troubled or afraid" with caveats like, unless a hurricane is coming, my wife just left me, the doctor said "cancer," I can't pay my bills, or there's global unrest. He says simply, "don't be afraid."
Fear has by far been the most destructive force in my life. Fear of abandonment, fear of failure, fear of success, fear of love, fear of not being loved...and the list goes on!
It's a very common affliction for survivors of trauma, who may have not felt safe as children, are always bracing for disaster, or trying to juggle the planets to manage fearful feelings.
In recovery, self-centered fear is called the "chief activator of our defects (sin)." Oh, my, can I testify to that!
But let's face it, fear is an issue for many, especially now, when the world is whirling and twirling, and most of the (apparent) perils are definitely WAY beyond our control. If I'm in charge of managing the universe, there's good reason to be fearful! Plus, it's quite stressful!
So if we can't control it, who can?
The God of the Universe.
Let’s race to rest in Jesus's love and sufficiency and this promise which I have finally found to be very true. There are, however, some conditions Jesus states or implies in this passage:
Believe in Him.
Believe Him.
Trust Him.
Seek Him.
Love Him.
Obey Him.
Learn from His Holy Spirit.
I can testify. It's truly true. If it can be for me, it can be for you, too.
Practice: Read John 14 and ask Jesus to show you what's standing between you and His promised peace. Listen and journal what you hear. Repent as needed, then receive His peace.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, Thank you for the priceless gift you left us: Peace that surpasses all understanding, no matter what's happening. Help us to abide in you moment to moment and let your Holy Spirit enable us to believe, trust, love, and learn to obey You in every way, every day. Forgive us for not trusting You.
Amen. Thank You. I love You.
#Elul #FearNot #John1427 #PerfectPeace #PeaceOverFear #TrustGod #DoNotBeAfraid #GodsPeace #FaithOverFear #BeStillAndKnow #DailyScripture #PeaceInChrist #Shalom #RestInHim #HeartNotTroubled
✨ Forgiveness Sets US Free! ✨
This is Week 2 of Elul, the season of preparation before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Elul invites self-examination, repentance, and prayer.
As Christians, we’re not required to keep the Jewish holy days, but Jesus and the early church did. These rhythms remind us of the power of repentance and forgiveness.
This week, I invite you to look at resentment—what recovery calls “the number one offender.” Scripture agrees: Hebrews 12:15 warns that bitterness blocks grace and poisons many. I can testify!
✨ Remember: FORGIVENESS IS FOR US! ✨
For those of us who have been deeply hurt, forgiveness can feel impossible. But Jesus gives us a powerful framework:
Examine yourself before confronting another, coming in humility (Luke 17:3).
Talk privately first, aiming at reconciliation (Matthew 18:15).
If they repent (showing contrition and change), forgive—again and again (Matthew 18:22).
If they refuse, involve others or, in some cases, definitely step away. It may even be obedience to God! (Matthew 18:17; 1 Cor. 5:13; 2 Tim. 3:5; 2 Thess. 3:14–15, Matthew 10).
Regardless, forgive them in your heart, whether they repent or not.
Sometimes we can only forgive fully after creating distance, when we’re no longer subject to ongoing harm. We may need to revisit this over and over as we heal.
🕊 Practice: Journal or pray this week about someone you haven’t forgiven. Ask Jesus to help you. Reflect with these questions: What’s my part? How have I contributed, caused, or allowed this behavior? What can I do differently now?
PRAYER:
Jesus, your words are sobering and clear.
Grant me grace to forgive as you have forgiven me.
Help me confront humbly in the hope of restoration.
If needed, give me strength to step away in obedience to you.
Forgive my part, and lead me where I need to seek forgiveness.
Thank you. I love you. 💖
During my quiet time this morning, I was surprised to learn that today is the first day of Elul—the beginning of the most sacred Jewish season. Elul is a time of self-examination, repentance, and return to God. Jewish tradition teaches that during this time, the gates of heaven are open and God draws especially near. It concludes with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, on October 2. As a Jew, Jesus Himself celebrated these holy days, as did the earliest Christians.
For Christians and those in recovery, repentance is not shame but freedom, healing, and peace. James reminds us: “Come close to God, and God will come close to you” (James 4:8, NLT). For centuries, the Church taught that ongoing repentance and confession were essential. In Twelve Step recovery, repentance (Steps 4 and 10) remains a daily, life-saving practice vital to spiritual sobriety.
So much suffering stems from unrepentant sin, unresolved guilt, and the nameless shame they create. This season offers a framework to rediscover the spiritual medicine of honesty, confession, reconciliation, and return.
The Good News is that in Christ, who is the Gate, the way back is always open.
🕊 Action: During this time, consider beginning a daily prayer or journal reflection, asking: Where do I need to return to God? ✨💖
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