"Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken." (2 Nephi 9:40)"Words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken."
Pondering this verse, does it imply that the righteous have no uncleanness? Nope. Does it imply that the truth may be less poignant or harsh upon the sins of the righteous as the sins of the unrighteous? Nope.
It occurs to me that two people may appear to have the same vices, the same outward sins, the same actions of error, and, for that matter, the same outward strengths, whilst one God would label righteous and the other wicked.
How so?
We all have sins. We all have weaknesses. We all worship the lies of Satan in one form or other. So why does one person get to be considered righteous and another not?
Because righteousness is a state of soul -- a state of heart, mind, and spirit.
When we receive reproach, do we take offense? When we are given correction, do we shun the messenger? Or are we willing to confront ourselves in a spirit of self-honesty and self-love?
President Uchtdorf said "seeing ourselves clearly is the beginning of wisdom." I add that, with that vision, loving ourselves wholly is the beginning of accountability.
The righteous "love the truth and are not shaken." Why? Because they love wisdom! They love to see themselves clearly! And they love themselves enough to take accountability in what they see. They desire to serve God and to fulfill His purposes for them on this earth.
When confronted, the righteous do not go into fight, flight, or freeze. Rather, they confront themselves and they grow.
May my heart be turned ever more toward righteousness day by day.
