The Truth May Make Us Feel Miserable; the Truth Will Set Us Free

The Truth May Make Us Feel Miserable; the Truth Will Set Us Free

In the Gospel, Jesus says that we have to know the truth and it will set us free (See John 8:32). It will be better for us to be more critical to that statement. Does the truth really set us free? Nonetheless, it occasionally makes us feel miserable too. What is the truth then? It is a situation when we are true or when we give a fact – honesty. In order to understand this passage, let us at this moment compare the inner situation based on our own experiences when we are dishonest and when we are honest.

As ordinary human beings, it is almost impossible for us to be 100% honest in the life-time. In times when we make mistakes or experience failure, our hearts oftentimes move us to lie in order to cover our weakness up, avoid punishment and deceive others. We do it out of fear which we will lose respect and pleasure because every time we lie, we perhaps feel getting pleasure and peace at first. However, since then, there will be fearfulness in our hearts if somebody knows that we have lied. What will happen if somebody knows? It will get worse for us and we may feel very ashamed. This means that the pleasure and peace that we get at first are good in appearance only. On the contrary, when we are honest and brave to tell the truth, we certainly feel miserable at first, but henceforth the truth itself will set us free.

Let us take an example. Long time ago, a boy namely Johnde threw a cigarette butt in a trash bin after smoking together with his companions at school. He did not realise that the trash bin was full of plastics, papers and tissues which were flammable. After that, the trash bin was burnt out and almost gone. Everyone standing near the trash bin was confused since none knew what made it burnt out.

Then, one of the officers tried to look for the one who was a cause of fire. According to the rule, the one who wrecked public facilities should indemnify with the same price of them. It was very certain that no one would like to take responsibility to this foul. Johnde was absolutely afraid and depressed if everyone knew that he was the troublemaker. That was why he tried to cover his guilt up. However, his heart did not feel better even after he was successful in covering his guilt. Therefore, he confessed to the school officer that he was the one who threw a cigarette butt which burnt the trash bin. Because of his confession, he was blamed by everyone and also his companions. Moreover, he was punished by a fine around Rp 600.000, 00. After having confessed the truth, he felt relieved.

Through that example, we may be sure that the truth just make us feel miserable in appearance at first, but in fact, it will set us free. In brief, let us ask for God’s grace that He may enable us to be brave to tell the truth and may His Spirit of Truth leads us into all truth.  

(April 8, 2014)