Can people handle the truth?

What's meant by handling the truth?

First of all, it has to be communicated and received.

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, Who is the head. Ephesians 4:15

So, if we want to grow up into the stature and maturity of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have to speak (or write or use non-wordless ways) and receive the truth for ourselves when it's communicated.

We should allow ourselves to be reproved [corrected], rebuked [censored], and encouraged by the word of the Lord. 2 Timothy 4:2

We need to be careful that we don't fulfill what Paul wrote to Timothy.

For the time will come when men [people in general] will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.

So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Why would they do that?

They can't handle the truth.

They don't want truth that doesn't give them the freedom to do and believe what they want.

They look for myths, fables, and other incorrect ideas that make them feel good or be puffed up with their so-called spiritual knowledge. 1 Corinthians 8:1-2; Colossians 2:18

The Bible doesn't always serve us "dessert," does it?

It's possible to search the Scriptures and extract verses to create a positive version of the Bible.

Someone could call it the "Authorized Positive Version."

But it would NOT be the whole counsel of the Lord. Acts 20:26-27; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

If in our use of the Bible we OVERLOOK intentionally its corrections, rebukes, and warnings, 1 Corinthians 10:1-12; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:3-7; Colossians 1:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; James 4:4, 7-10 we MISUSE it, 2 Corinthians 4:2 twisting it to our own destruction. 2 Peter 3:16

USE THE TRUTH PROPERLY

Let's do it. Matthew 7:24-25; James 1:22

Let's do what we learn, know, and practice; then share it.

Let's not do as those Jesus criticized who preached the Law of Moses, in his seat, his authority, but didn't set a proper example because they didn't do what the Law said to do. Matthew 23:2-3

Let's communicate the truth correctly. Paul wrote in 2 places to the Corinthians that he didn't corrupt the word, nor dilute, peddle, or pollute it. 2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2

Let's love the truth. Paul wrote that some in the future will not receive the love of the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11

Let's buy [invest in] the truth and never sell it along with wisdom, instruction, and understanding. Proverbs 23:23

Let's buy it for free. Isaiah 55:1-3

AM I YOUR ENEMY NOW?

What if people become your enemies because you communicate the truth? Galatians 4:16

Then, we can do as Jesus instructed:

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27-28

Maybe they only become offended and not to the point of being your enemy. Proverbs 18:19; Matthew 15:10-12; John 6:60-61

What then?

We can do as Jesus also instructed:

Leave them alone if they're blind leaders of the blind. Matthew 15:13-14

If they're not leaders, then we can do as Paul wrote in several places:

Teach the correct way, warn twice if needed, and restore. Galatians 6:1; 2 Timothy 2:23-26; Titus 3:9-10

However, we should be careful because most of us can't take criticism.

Is it because we're immature? Ephesians 4:14

Is it because we haven't communicated the truth, nor received it, nor handled it accurately?

Are these possible reasons why we haven't yet grown to receive the spiritual meat of the word but only milk? 1 Corinthians 3:1-2

If we want to grow up as OUR PART in the body of the Lord Jesus Christ to do what we're supposed to do, Ephesians 4:11-13, 16 we have to be willing to be corrected.

Corrected by what?

The Scriptures of the Bible, interpreted, dissected, and handled accurately. 2 Timothy 2:15

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

so that the man [any person] of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

If the word is shared in love, let's receive it in His love because He is love. 1 John 4:8-9, 16

His word is truth. John 17:17

We're cleansed by His word. John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26

If we humbly receive the planted word in our hearts, it's able to save our souls as it transforms us, like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. Romans 12:1-2; James 1:21

Yes, you and I CAN handle the truth.

Let's choose this and be transformed.

Your thoughts?

R. Jason