A reader asks us:
Why does the truth hurt so much?
Victor and Paul’s reply:
Hi Lizzie,
Truth is at first hurtful because we are all contrary to it. Truth is contrary to falsehood and lies. When Truth comes, it begins by dealing with our falsehood and wrongness. Truth is reality that exposes unreality. Truth is light that dispels darkness. Truth is the great fire that cleanses. Truth is a healer, come to do away with sickness, disease, death, hell, and their causes.
Truth is a friend that first comes appearing as an enemy, while the lie comes as a friend that bites in the end. Truth begins in the innermost being and works its way out to complete its mission of deliverance to freedom, whether in this life or in the world to come.
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Proverbs 27:6 KJV).
Human beings in their natural fallen state are prone to believe and tell lies, no matter how preposterous. Seldom, if ever, are they interested in believing the Truth and acknowledging the way things really are (they crucified Him, didn’t they?). Yet, recognizing the reality is the first step to wholeness, to victory, peace, rest, and fulfillment. There is no other way but the Truth to have true Life. Without the Truth, we perish, but in the Truth, we are invincible – nothing can harm us.
The Truth can hurt whether we are for it or against it. It can hurt because of pride, when we are confronted with the fact that we are contrary to the Truth and resist change. It can also hurt because if we do embrace the Truth and the change it brings, we are separated from other people (those who continue to be contrary to the Truth) and the things we have loved (which aren’t in harmony with, or expedient in, our pursuit of the Truth).
Jesus Christ, the Truth Incarnate, said this:
Matthew 10:34-39 MKJV
(34) Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to send peace, but a sword.
(35) For I have come to set a man against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
(36) And a man’s foes shall be those of his own household.
(37) He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
(38) And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.
(39) He who finds his life shall lose it. And he who loses his life for My sake shall find it.
This is painful. We know, having experienced the sword of the Lord. But here’s the difference: When we receive and believe the Truth, though we suffer the pain of loss and separation for a while, much better things come – better than any human being can imagine. After all, the sole purpose of truth is betterment, to make us free and alive to God.
“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him’” (1 Corinthians 2:9 EMTV).
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalms 30:5 MKJV).
But when we don’t love God – when we hide our faces from Him (the Truth) because we don’t want to suffer the hurt that is necessary to rise above our earthly troubling, then we sow for more pain that has no reward. In rejecting the Truth, there may be a respite from our pain for a time, but that is only the interlude before a bitter crop comes to harvest. We do reap what we sow. It is never good or profitable to reject the Truth, particularly about ourselves, no matter how painful it may be at first.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge [acknowledging that which is right and true]: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7 KJV).
“You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you. Always obey the LORD and you will be happy. If you are stubborn, you will be ruined” (Proverbs 28:13-14 GNB).
We have only given you some general facts about Truth and how it relates to us. Can you tell us more specifically about how you find the Truth painful, Lizzie?
Victor and Paul
A recipient, Delia, appreciated this note and wrote:
Hi Victor,
I praise the Lord for this letter, you know how painful the truth was for me, but I also have experienced the freedom that comes with it . When I was confronted with the truth, I experienced everything you wrote to Lizzie.
I am thankful for the wisdom the Lord gave you to explain the truth.
I thank the Lord for The Path of Truth.
It hurts because it is like a surgery, this Scripture comes to me:
Hebrews 4:12-16
12 For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight, but all things are naked and opened to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
14 Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we do not have a High Priest Who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted just as we are, yet without sin.
16 Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Delia
Victor’s reply:
“And when the Son of Man makes you free, you will be free indeed.” Have a blessed Sabbath rest, Delia!
– November 6, 2011