Can You Handle the Truth?
You probably remember the line from the 1992 movie A Few Good Men, in which Jack Nicholson’s character, Colonel Jessup, screams at Tom Cruise’s character, Lt. Kaffee, “You can’t handle the truth.” It has worked its way into American culture without much thought given to how prescient the message. I was reminded of this while reading the 9th chapter of John.
Jesus has just healed a blind beggar and the Pharisees have him in for questioning…a second time because they didn’t believe him the first time even after his parents confirmed he had been born blind. But being afraid of the religious leaders and the threat of being thrown out of the synagogue, the parents weaseled out of giving credit to Jesus. So the son is subjected to insinuations of his veracity. And like Colonel Jessup, he’s becoming frustrated, so he says, “I told you already and you did not listen; why do you want to hear it again? You do not want to become His disciples too, do you?” (John 9:27)
Here’s the thing about truth,
especially when it conflicts with our preconceived beliefs, it is a direct hit on our pride and like Colonel Jessup’s assumption that Lt. Kaffee couldn’t handle the truth, the Pharisees couldn’t either. They chose to defend their pride with this comment, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?” (v.34)
Being on the receiving end of a truth-empowered word, whether from our spouse, our boss, our child, or someone we don’t like or respect. Our pride is hurt, we’re embarrassed, we feel shame and maybe even anger at the messenger. We’ve all heard the phrase, “don’t shoot the messenger.” But pride and anger don’t mix well and that’s exactly how we feel. If we’re the messenger, and don’t want to be shot, we are to “speak the truth in love.” (Eph. 4:15) Do we always do that? Or could our delivery use a little softening? Not the message. The delivery.
Have you ever wondered
why so many in public office today are offended by the truth? The Bible lays it out pretty clearly in second Thessalonians 2:10-12: “…and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false…in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.”
Rejecting God’s truth has eternal consequences. Jesus said, “you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:32) What truth should we embrace? Here’s a 30,000-foot view. If nobody has told you this before, either they don’t love you enough or they need this message too. Remember, don’t shoot the messenger. There is a God. God hates sin. You sin. Sin separates you from God. Sin causes (eternal) death. God loves you (anyway) and sent His son Jesus to die for your sin. God’s gift of salvation is free. Pride keeps you from accepting this gift. Anything else? Lots. But you don’t get the rest until after you walk through the door to salvation, when you’ve come to Jesus in humility, told God you agree with Him that you are a sinner and can’t save yourself, and ask for His mercy.
When you do that,
your future in heaven with Jesus and all who have taken these words to heart will be beyond imagination. But here’s the thing; old habits die hard and you’ve got an enemy—the devil—who hates God and His children and will do everything he can to dissuade you and lie to you to keep you out of heaven. If this has piqued your interest, spend some time browsing this site and click here “Steps to Salvation” for a more detailed presentation of the truth you seek. Thanks for visiting, hope to see you back soon.