For if you embrace the truth, it will release true freedom into your lives. (John 8:32 TPT)
Have you ever been in a situation when you just didn’t know where the truth was? I’m not talking about which child used the Sharpie on the brand new furniture. I’m talking about situations that involve deep human wounds. Divorcing couples. Jobs on the line. He said-she said. Criminal charges. Church unity. Any number of other things. Deeply, deeply painful, no matter who is “right” and who is “wrong.”
At our former church, I was walking and talking with the pastor’s wife while our kids attended Wednesday night programming. Over time, she confided in me about serious accusations that had been made against one of the staff ministry leaders. I also knew other church members who had known this individual since childhood and were deeply convinced of her innocence. I had been friends with her, and honestly, I didn’t know whether the accusations were true or not. Because I didn’t know where the truth really lay, I chose to remain silent—supporting neither side. Eventually—and painfully for the church—she was removed from her staff position.
Last week, a jury convicted a man from another church of some very serious criminal charges. He and his family are close friends with several families in our church, many of whom are struggling to believe the verdict. I don’t know the man personally, but I do know and trust the people who do. They are spiritually mature, deeply discerning, and are generally wise judges of character. At the same time, they—like all of us—understand that human beings are sinful by nature and capable of terrible things. I don’t know whether this man is guilty or not. But what I do know is that his friends and loved ones, including those in our church, are experiencing deep pain right now.
Have you noticed that the enemy of our souls is really good at his mission – to steal, kill, and destroy?
In every version of John 10:10, the enemy was called the “thief.” That thief steals a person’s reputation and ability to care for his/her family. That thief kills friendships and other relationships. That thief destroys a church’s unity.
That may be the modus operandi of the enemy of our souls, but it is the antithesis of our Lord.
Life in Jesus involves Truth. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. When we embrace truth, it gives us freedom from the losses the thief takes. Jesus came that we may have life, and that have it more abundantly. Life lived abundantly in Jesus Christ restores hope, reputation, relationships, and unity.
I do not know whether, in the eyes of God, this man is guilty of these crimes, but I know his family and friends are hurting. Would you please join me in praying that God’s Truth will be revealed and that God’s Comfort would be upon them?
God,
My heart is very heavy for these family and friends who are hurting from this man’s conviction. Holy Spirit, be their Comforter, the One they lean on as they process this news. Be the Spirit of Truth in this situation, and set free those who are hurting. We pray that you will do what only you can do to protect relationships and the spirit of unity in your churches. Thwart the plans of the enemy for harm, confusion, and chaos, and release into your people healing, peace, and deep trust in you, we pray in Jesus’s name. AMEN.
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32 NIV)
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10 NKJV)
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:16–17 ESV)