HANDLING THE TRUTH (Proverbs 8)

You'll recognize this as true--you with open minds; truth-ready minds will see it at once. (Proverbs 8:9, MSG)

YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH.--spoken by Jack Nicholson in his role as Col. Jessep in A Few Good Men.

When I checked on the quote, I learned that it is #29 on AFI's 100 most memorable movie quotes of all time.Those of you who have seen the largely forgettable movie have it ingrained on our memories. What I didn't remember as well was Jessep's explanation of "handling the truth."

"You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use then as the backbone of a life trying to defend something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you," and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest that you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to." (forgive the cuss word.)

Jessep was saying Tom Cruise's character wasn't "truth ready." What were his standards for getting truth ready? Values like honor, code, loyalty, backed up by putting his life on the line. We in America live in freedom, and as Christians, we are free from God's law and eternal death. If that is all we want out of wisdom, God will receive our thanksgiving, disappointed, perhaps, that we didn't get ready for more. We stay satisfied with baby milk.

The question of "what is wisdom?" has occupied my attention recently. I would like to think I have the spiritual gift of wisdom, but I have decided that I don't. I do have the gift of knowledge, of making connections between one scripture and another, and presenting in an accessible manner. Oh, yes, that goes right along with my gifts of teaching and encourager.

That doesn't mean I can't attain some degree of wisdom. Jessep defined truth-ready qualities as honor, code, and loyalty. I'm not sure what the Christian's code might be--unless it is God's holiness? We have the honor of representing God to other people.

The code obviously ties into the Bible. Paul said, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Corinthians 2;15, NIV) The more we delve into the Bible, the better prepared we are to compare other so-called "truths" against God's standards.

Loyalty? Purity, holiness, whole-hearted commitment to God. We have touched on those qualities fairly often this year. When our loyalty remains 100% focused, we have a clearer vision of truth. The closer I can come to being a Christian first and an American second. To being God's daughter before being a woman in the 21st century. The easier I will find it to sift today's popular philosophies against God's eternal truth. (Note: in saying that, I am not saying that every contemporary opinion is false. I am dangerously liberal in some people's opinions.)

What is our reward for getting ready for the truth? We'll recognize it when we see it. We can discern falsehoods and embrace the truth.

Let's check our truth-readiness on a truth-o-meter and work to improve our score.

Psalm 135-136

Focus

Who would be so foolish to make an idol like the Israelites did with the golden calf and worship it?  It seems even more unfathomable when you consider all the miracles God performed that they saw with their own eyes: the Red Sea splitting, manna and water in the desert, and pillars of cloud and fire, to name just a few.

Psalm 135: 15-18 sums it up, The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. (NIV)

Even though we may not worship idols, when we set our affection on things of the earth (Colossians 3:2 KJV), we develop idolatrous hearts. It’s a sobering thought that we become like what we worship. As we set our attention on the God, focusing on Him and His word, our thoughts and actions become more like God’s. Conversely, as we make the values of the world our aim, we become more like it.

Psalm 135:3 reminds us that the Lord is good. And Psalm136 repeats, “His love endures forever.” If we center on God’s goodness, we’ll do the good works he called us to (Ephesians 2:10). When we concentrate on His enduring love we will obey His command to love the Lord and people (Matthew 22:35-41).

Let’s get our attention off the things of the world: power, position and possessions.  Friendship with the world means enmity with God. (James 4:4 NIV) Let’s focus on the wonderful Triune God, and make it our aim and prayer to be more like Christ.

 

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)

 

 

 

Connie L. Peters has thirty years of experience in writing poetry, adult and children’s fiction and inspirational non-fiction. Currently she writes devotions for The Presidential Prayer Team and The Pagosa Sun. She also writes a poem a day on enthusiaticsoul.blogspot.com. Connie’s work has appeared in numerous publications including Focus on the Family, Bible Advocate and The Quiet Hour. She has served on the board of Southwest Christian Writers Association for the past twenty years. Connie lives in Cortez, CO where she and her husband host two adults with developmental disabilities. The Peterses’ two grown children live in Arizona.