The Truth Will Make You Mad

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 NIV)

This is one of the most loved verses in the Gospels.  But do we know the context?  This statement by Jesus set off an argument with the Jews who were listening.  They were so not having it.  They told Jesus, "We are children of Abraham.  We are not slaves, so we need no one to set us free."  They got mad.

We hate the truth, because usually it does make us mad.  It points out our flaws and our sin.  It makes us realize that, yes, we are slaves.... slaves to sin.... slaves to the world... slaves to wanting our own way.  And the truth of our sinfulness makes us mad.

Pastor Chad has often told me that when someone criticizes him, he does get mad, but then he looks to see what he can learn from it.  And he has given me the same advice when I get mad.  I know he's right, and it seldom makes me any happier with the critic, but every one of us has room for improvement and listening to the truth as someone else might see it can help set us free from the image of perfection we might hold of ourselves and allow us to find ways to improve.

And then there is the deeper, examining, piercing, pruning truth that we find in God's word.  We have taught ourselves to see only the truths that we are good with.  We can point our fingers at others to tell the "the truth will set you free!"  But we neglect the truth that will set ourselves free.  We overlook the truth that we are as sinful as those at whom we point our fingers.  We need to be set free too.  Unfortunately, we will probably get mad first.  It makes us mad when our imperfections show.  But if we get mad and then step back a look to see why, we will learn from it.  And maybe improve ourselves a bit.

Father,
When your Word convicts us, it may make us angry.  Help us to use that anger to dig deeper to find the changes we need to make in our lives.  Amen.