The Cost of Truth

The Kingdom Light – Episode 1108

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Lately, I’ve been trying to encourage you to be proclaimers of the truth. Today I want to recognize the reasons why so many people are afraid to be the ones who speak out for justice in an injust world. There is a definite cost associated with speaking truth where lies have held dominion for so long. We’ll get into all that in a moment…

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What is it about truth that offends people so much? Why does it make people angry? Why is it so often met with exposed teeth dripping with vitriol, like the xenomorph in the Alien movies.

First of all, let’s go ahead and recognize the fact that a large number of people have very simply been taken completely in by the propaganda machine. This lie factory efficiently distributes a fairly convincing narrative, repeating it ad nauseum through the old legacy media. Those under the influence of this 24/7 programming mechanism naturally tend to disbelieve anything that goes against that programming. It’s hard to blame them.

But, of course, this is precisely why actual truth proclaimers are so important. We have to increase our numbers to effectively counter the established false narratives. However, before we can do that, we need to understand where those lies are coming from and why. Exposing falsehoods isn’t enough. We must also expose the sinister sources of those lies and the real plot behind it all. Then we have to realize that all of these things will be hard for people to swallow. Communicating it all can be tricky. It is always easier to deceive someone than it is to convince someone they’ve been deceived.

And let me just throw this in here, too. During the almost 14 years of this online ministry, I have often met with mockery and wrongful assumptions because of my faith. Very recently, one of my social media posts even got me laughed at by a member of my own family. I’m not gonna lie. That kinda hurt. I’m not saying it hurt my feelings, I’m saying it hurt to see someone I love so dearly so convinced that the truth I’d shared was somehow silly or laughable.

There is still another reason why people will reject truth. We’ve talked about it many times. Many folks have become comfortable with the lies. Shining light on things upsets their whole world because it pushes against their belief system. Exposing the evil truth behind abortion bothers those who want to remain comfortable with the idea. Showing people there is an ugly agenda behind anything they currently believe in makes them uncomfortable. Such people may react emotionally, feeling their preconceived notions are being challenged. Again, they refuse to accept those notions are based on lies.

As the ones who are charged with proclaiming truth, we have to realize all of this going in. Know that you will undoubtedly be met with anger, disdain, and mockery. They will lash out at you for telling the truth. They will assume the worst of you. They will make fun of you and label you with all sorts of nasty titles – ignorant, backward, racist, cultist, homophobe, transphobe, bible-thumper – ooh, Christian Nationalist, that’s a popular one nowadays.

But we can’t let any of these things discourage us from our duty of proclaiming truth loudly and boldly. Resistance will happen. Name-calling will happen. Just remember the old saying I’ve mentioned before… When you’re catching the most flak is when you know you’re right over the target. So keep pressing forward. Keep at it, and don’t let up one bit.

Matthew 5

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Yeah, there’s a cost for doing the right thing. But, in the end, there’s a far greater cost for failing to do right. If we press in, facing whatever backlash may result from exposing truth, greater still will be our reward.

Luke 9

²³ And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

In this mission, we must deny all those tendencies to give in or give up. People are making fun of me. I’m being called names. They hate me for what I’m saying. We must pray harder and accept the calling God has given us. Why?

Mark 13

¹³ And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

If we are hated for doing what Christ called us to do, then we are hated because of Him. They reject us, they reject the truth we proclaim, all because they are rejecting Him. This isn’t merely a mission to expose lies, it’s a mission to save the lost by bringing them out of darkness into the light. Besides, there is also good that comes from running into roadblocks on this journey.

James 1

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

It’s all part of the plan. The more you engage in this mission, the better you get at it. Every challenge you face along the way teaches you another lesson. But check out what Peter says about this topic of facing trials and persecution for being a Christian…

1 Peter 4

¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

As I said earlier, these trials are to be expected. Insults are to be expected. But we are never alone when we proclaim the truth. God is with us. His Holy Spirit is standing right there along with us in the battle. He fights for us, and then He waters the seeds of truth we’ve sown. Let’s read further…

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

What’s Peter saying here? He’s speaking of the difference between someone who suffers because of actual wrongdoing and someone who suffers for doing what’s right and just. A murderer, thief, or other evildoer, when faced with the light of truth, should be ashamed of their actions. But we who face persecution for being a Christian do not have to be ashamed one bit. Further, he says…

17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

Folks, let me say this as kindly as I possibly can here, okay? It is far better to be wrongfully accused and misjudged by those who reject truth for a lie than to be those who wrongfully accuse and misjudge us. This wrongful passing of judgment against God’s people results in all the more wrathful judgment upon the wicked who reject His Truth. I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes. Finally, Peter says…

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Just trust in God, y’all. He is faithful and righteous, and we are safe in His hands. Doing His will may rile up some people. That’s okay. Those people need to be shaken and made uncomfortable with the lies they’ve accepted. They need to have truth planted in their lives so that they can be brought fully into the light. Those who continue to reject truth will face a much higher cost than we who proclaim it.

It’s important to note that, after Jesus was crucified and resurrected, and many people were witness to His being alive again, there came a time when several of His followers were put to the ultimate test. Either renounce Jesus and His resurrection or be put to a painful death. For these, the cost of truth was their very lives. Are you willing to proclaim truth and be ridiculed for it? Even to be laughed at by friends and family? To take up your cross daily and follow Jesus no matter what? Believe me when I tell you, that’s our calling as we continue to shine the Kingdom Light.

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