The wise man in the book of Proverbs admonishes us to "buy the truth, and do not sell it" (Prov. 23:23). Truth is to be a valuable commodity in our lives -- we are to obtain it at all costs and once obtained, never let it slip from our hands. It is the truth that sets us free from the shackles of sin (John 8:32).

A bad assumption is that all people value the truth in the same way. We may think that if we would go out and tell people the truth that they would jump at the chance to go wherever it led. However, some people love darkness more than light, because their deeds are evil (John 3:19). This serves as a warning for Christians as well. A lot of people want "the truth" as long as it does not disturb them or present any challenges in their lives. What about you? Can you honestly say that you love the truth? When it comes to your spiritual condition, do you want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? In this bulletin and perhaps the next one, I want to examine the Scriptures and show how people react to the truth.

Some People React With Anger

King Saul was told to utterly destroy the Amalekites ( l Sam. 15:3). Saul did most of what God had commanded, but he spared king Agag and the best of the sheep and oxen (1 Sam. 15:8-9). Later, when Saul saw the prophet Samuel walking towards him said, "Blessed are you of the Lord! I have performed the commandment of the Lord" (I Sam. 15:13). The truth of the matter is that Saul had not obeyed the voice of God, and Samuel rebuked him for it (1 Sam. 15:14). Saul protested in anger and Samuel told him to be quiet ( l Sam. 15:20-23). Samuel then departed from the presence of Saul, never to see him again in this life (I Sam. 15:34-35).

Some People Attack The Messenger

Ahab, king of Israel, was a very wicked king. He married Jezebel, a woman guilty of murdering God's own prophets. He worshipped and served Baal, and even built an altar and a temple for Baal in Samaria. "Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him" (I Kin's 16:33). The great prophet Elijah proclaimed a drought as punishment for the sins of Ahab -and it lasted three years (1 Kings 17:1; 18:1). One of the most interesting points of the story is the reaction of Ahab when he met Elijah. "Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, 'Is that you, 0 troubler of Israel?"' (1 Kings 18: 17). Ahab caused the drought in the land of Israel because of his sins, but he blamed the messenger! John the Baptist lost his life because of his stand on marriage, divorce and remarriage (Matt. 14: 1 -10). John had informed Herod that he was living in sin because he married Herodias, a woman he had no lawful right to marry. At Herod's birthday party he promised the daughter of Herodias that she could have anything she wanted. After being prompted by her mother she requested the head of John the Baptist on a platter.

Do you really love the truth? If you don't love the truth, God will allow you to believe a lie (2 Thess. 2:10). How you react to the truth reveals what you are really made of. The Gospel is like fire -- it will soften wax and harden clay. What effect will it have on you?

Eric