You Can't Handle the Truth

In a morally bankrupt secular context, truth carries no value a part from what any one person might think or feel it means. Part of the craziness of our present culture is that many leaders, platforms, and voices are folks who at the end of the day don't really believe in any real sense of the word. 

For those of us who claim to follow the Truth (he goes by the name of Jesus) we are left in the confusing position of adhering to something that others are unable to see or acknowledge. It is a bit of a reverse "emperor's new clothes" where we dress ourselves in truth and righteousness and everyone else can't see that we truly and actually have them on. It's not that society is playing along and pretending they can see something that isn't there like in the story. Instead, society fails to see something that truly is there. In Christ we truly do have new clothes and we've been given eyes to see them!

Still, many believers get things wrong about Truth. Those of us who love Truth and what it has done for our lives tend to act like it is something we carry or wield and throw at others. We think we can pick it up and show it off and bring it with us. We get possessive of it and in the process it starts to look more like us rather than us looking more like it. In reality, Truth is far too big for us to carry or grasp. We only see and know those parts of it which God has chosen to reveal to us.

Instead of imagining truth as something to carry with us or to throw at others we ought to imagine truth as a bedrock, something to stand on and anchor ourselves in. We don't throw or carry truth around so much as we rest ourselves on it and walk upon it. For those that don't know Jesus they will ultimately break themselves upon the bedrock of Truth even if they can't see or feel it beneath their feet.

Our hearts have a funny way of resisting Truth. A quick look at the world and at ourselves and we realize that humans are endlessly inventive in finding ways of avoiding Truth. To be honest, our sinfulness can't handle the Truth apart from His atoning work on the cross.

Truth, properly understood, is a solid rock upon which we stand. Truth is also something upon which we can be broken. Truth is not something so insignificant as to be carried with us or thrown around. If we can acknowledge this we are better armed for dealing with "truth" claims in life. 

• We need to know that Truth doesn't need our defending. Truth has the armies of heaven on his side. Truth needs proclaiming and articulation but defensiveness is not a posture appropriate to someone resting on Truth. We can be bold and calm and generous and gentle and patient in our discourse because the foundation is secure. 
• We can't force others to "grasp" Truth any more than we ourselves can grasp Truth.  We don't "grasp" the ground we walk on, we simply take the next step trusting it to be sure. Our sure steps and steady gait say more than we realize in a world drowning in sinking sand.
• When we feel defensive there is more than a small chance that we are defending a part of our heart more than the Truth. Typically, there is some pride, selfishness, or idolatry that is bumping up against the harder-than-diamond Truth and we are avoiding the painful process of having that broken down in our hearts.
• Where Truth is especially hidden (which is most everywhere in this world) in areas like politics or academia we need to find ways to slow the conversation down. Strong language, just like strong sentiments, and big words, just like big emotions, have no direct correlation to Truth. We can't mistake the language and emotions that get thrown about for the Truth that we stand on. Take time and dig deep and pray for wisdom. The pace of many discussions today (hello comments sections) is the perfect way for lies and discord to be sown. SLOW DOWN!
• The truth hurts, or so the saying goes. This is true in our own lives when we see our sin and brokenness in the light of the Truth. It is much more true for those who, through hardness of heart, are perhaps in the process of being broken upon the rock of Truth for the first time. Lets not add to the pain.

Truth can be hard to see and follow in a world full of smoke and mirrors. Following Jesus is the only way that we can really keep our hearts attuned to what is true. Commit yourself to looking to him for wisdom and clarity. He is a solid rock and we can trust him to always be true.