You Can’t Handle the Truth!
2 Corinthians 13:7-10 Now [a]I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. 10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.
What’s going on?
Paul, as an apostle, cannot and will not advocate for any false teachings or doctrines. His ministry is built on the foundation of truth, and he is not seeking to contradict or undermine it. Paul’s desire is for the truth to prevail, and he is committed to promoting and defending it. This includes correcting false teachings, confronting sin, and encouraging believers to live in accordance with the truth of the Gospel.
Paul defended the truth against those who would oppose it, even within the church by chastening, correcting, reproving, censuring, punishing, or anything else that was necessary. He goes on to say that the authority he has in defending the truth is for the church’s edification and not for its destruction.
It was Paul that rebuked Peter to his face because Peter was hypocritical, not walking according to the truth of the gospel If you remember the story, Peter was eating with the Gentiles and fellowshipping with them until Jewish men started stirring things up, and he removed himself from the gentiles’ company. Then, because of his example Barnabus was caught up in it.
Galatians 2:14NKJV But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, [a]why do you compel Gentiles to live as [b]Jews?
Paul would only speak the truth, no matter if he was popular or unpopular, liked or hated. He affirms the above words, “we can nothing against the truth, but for the truth”
What does this mean to us?
Do what is honorable without being told
Paul is prioritizing the spiritual growth and well-being of the Corinthians over his own personal validation or reputation. He believes that their true faith and virtuous living are more important than any perceived success on his part.
“We pray,” he says, “that you may be kept from doing evil.” Paul’s purpose in that prayer was not that he may gain a reputation as a successful worker in their eyes or those of others, but that the church may do that which is nobly good and advance in holiness.
Paul did not want to have to bring correction, and he certainly did not want to bring the hammer. He just wanted the church to act honorably and do good without him having to do or say anything. This is the heart of a true spiritual leader
We want to help you in this Christian walk. We want you to succeed and not because I or Ps Matt mor any other leader get glory from it. Sure, it looks good when you act honorably and someone asks “who is your pastor?” And they say, “what a great pastor you have!” There are people that I don’t want them telling anyone that Ps Matt is their pastor, but it still doesn’t matter if they say “you have a bad pastor”- whether our reputation is good or bad doesn’t really matter, -as long as we are doing our job.
This is what Paul was saying- my reputation doesn’t matter, for good or for bad, as long as you are living to honor the Lord. I do not care
But how you live, if you live honorably and honor the Word of God with your life and the name of Christ or if you live dishonorably and smear the holy name of the Lord, it reflects on His church and His name.
Living honorably simply means you live a crucified life for Christ. You live in integrity. You do what you say you are going to do. You have turned away from sin and live in righteousness. You are authentic, as we said on Sunday. I am not where I need to be, but thank God I am not who I used to be. You are headed toward the cross. You might fall, but you get up and keep going. Just live a life that honors the Lord. Obey His Word. Turn from your sin. Live as a humble servant. Work as unto the Lord. Do not cause problems and division. Love your wives and your family. Live peaceably with the brethren. This is what your leaders want from you.
Have integrity in leadership
The above verses highlight the importance of Christian leaders acting with integrity, even when it may be difficult or unpopular. They should not compromise the truth to gain favor or avoid conflict, but rather stand for what is right, even if it means being hated or misunderstood.
Everyone has a role of both leadership and submission.
In my home, I am the parental authority over my children and in submission to my husband. In the church, I am the women’s pastor, having authority over the women to speak the Word of God into their lives, but also in submission to the senior pastor.
You may be the boss or a high level of authority on your job, but you submit to your leadership in the church. In the home, you are a parent and exercise authority over your children. You maybe a deacon, or school teacher, or youth leader in the church where you exercise authority; but still submit to the church authority placed over you.
And we are to all submit to one another. Note– in a submission role you do not get away with operating without integrity; but it is a bit more serious when others are relying on you.
Luke 12:48 Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the one who did not know and did things deserving of blows will be beaten lightly. Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. And even more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more.[a]
More is expected to those entrusted with more. Which is why I am thankful to be the wife and not the husband. The greater expectation falls on you men to love your wife and cherish her as Christ does for the church. You are held to a higher standard.
All Christians should operate with integrity. Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. It involves consistency between one’s values and actions, even in challenging situations. Essentially, it’s about doing what’s right, even when no one is watching.
However, in a leadership position, whether in the church or on the job, people are not only watching you but relying on you. EX. Our movie quote, “You can’t handle the truth!”
Kaffee: I want the truth!
Jessup: You can’t handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who’s gonna do it? You? You, Lieutenant Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know, that Santiago’s death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives! You don’t want the truth, because deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall. We use words like “honor”, “code”, “loyalty”. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it! I would rather you just said “thank you”, and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don’t give a bleep what you think you are entitled to!
I actually agree with Col Jessup. I do not advocate lying to cover up what he did, but I agree with his whole explanation of why the soldier was disciplined. His job was to train soldiers, but he failed to take responsibility for his actions.
We are being trained as a spiritual soldier in Christ.
This is also why the Bible tells us to obey our leaders/authority in the Lord. They have a greater burden and will answer for more. Those who preach/teach the Word will have more to answer for- I am asking you, how do you handle the Word of God? I always want to honor the Word of God. I do not take the gifting to teach lightly. It is a heavy and high calling.
Handling the Word of God is serious business and should not be taken lightly.
Hebrews 13:17 Holman Christian Standard Bible
Obey your leaders[a] and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
Those of us in leadership, those who preach and teach the Word, those who have authority over others, you better walk in integrity and the truth.
Even when it is difficult or unpopular, when it is favorable or unfavorable. We do not compromise because people will not like us, and we do not avoid needful conflict because we lack courage, and we do not avoid correcting another because they will not like me after I tell them this.
If you are a leader in any form, you are held to a higher standard. Parents, take your authority seriously. You are your children’s covering until they go out on their own. Leaders in the church, and those who handle the Word of God, walk in integrity and humility. More is expected out of you.
Take an active defense of truth
The book of Daniel reveals end time events and the coming of the lawless one. It reveals what those days will look like. One of the major sign of the end times is that deception will be rampant because the lies of the enemy. Look at this verse:
Daniel 8:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible
Because of rebellion, a host, together with the daily sacrifice, will be given over. The horn will throw truth to the ground and will be successful in whatever it does.
This verse tells us a few things about the antichrist spirit:
Truth will be thrown down
The lie will be practiced, it will advance and go forth
The lie will prosper, it will be successful
These are the very things we are seeing happening in society. The truth is being “thrown down” ‘Truth’ is commonly used in Heb. subjectively of a moral quality; but here it denotes that which is true objectively, a body of true principles, “true religion” or the true way of worshipping the Lord. It is in reference to the following psalm:
Psalm 25:5 Holman Christian Standard Bible
Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I wait for You all day long.
As the truth is being cast down concerning who God is, His laws, how we worship and serve Him; the lie is being practiced, it is going forth and we see it succeeding, at least for a time.
For example, in a Gallup poll from 1996, 27% of Americans supported gay marriage as opposed to 2025 69-71% support. This is truth of God’s law from Genesis being cast down, being practiced and succeeding.
A recent study by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University found that only 4% of self-identified Christians have a biblical worldview. This means that while the majority of Americans consider themselves Christian (76%), a small percentage actually base their lives and beliefs on the principles of the Bible. It has been slowly declining over the years, but has decreased 33% since the start of Covid pandemic. Here again we see the truth being cast down, the lie being practiced and succeeding.
PLU (a Christian university) hosted a “queer prom” with free HIV testing May 10, 2025
Christians are to take an active role in promoting and defending the truth. We are to be bold, speak out against falsehoods and live in a way that reflects the truth of Christ.
Ephesians 4:15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
We will be hated, not for what we do but for what we say. Jesus was hated and crucified for what He said, not His good works.
John 10:33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”
We must speak and obey the truth. I talked about the importance of the truth yesterday in bible study- discuss the following verse
Proverbs 22:20-21 New King James Version
Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, 21 That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, That you may answer words of truth To those who [a]send to you?
We have to know that we know God’s Word is true in order to witness the true gospel to a lost and dying world
Correction is for the edification of the church
Paul’s desire is not to validate his own authority or to be seen as correct, but rather for the truth to be upheld. He is not motivated by self-promotion or personal ambition, but by a love for truth and a desire for the spiritual well-being of others.
Our aim is to promote the truth, and to do what is right; and we cannot, therefore, by any regard to our own reputation, or to any personal advantage, do what is wrong, or even desire the wrong that others do. The truth in confronting sin and the lies of the enemy is for the edification of the body.
Ezekiel 13:22-23 New King James Version
“Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and you have strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he does not turn from his wicked way to save his life. 23 Therefore you shall no longer envision futility nor practice divination; for I will deliver My people out of your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ”
Lies, sin, the promotion of falsehood makes the heart of the righteous man SAD-
When we confront your sin, when we confront your truth with THE truth, when we bring correction and instruction in righteousness, when we say “do not go that way, do not do that thing, do not even mess with that, and run far away from that person” it is for your benefit and edification.
My 600 lb life, there is always an enabler. There are many enablers in the church! Your best friend is the one who tells you the most truth.
This was at the heart of Paul’s letter- I do not like to correct you. I do not like to have to be stern with you. I do not want to bring down the hammer on your life; but I will because I am faithful to the truth of God’s Word and ultimately correction brings about righteousness, which is FOR YOUR BENEFIT!
Psalm 141:5 New King James Version
Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.
Proverbs 20:30 New King James Version
30 Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As do stripes the [a]inner depths of the heart.
Just receive the correction! Just as the Lord disciplines and corrects us, we are to do that for one another. Iron sharpens iron. WE help each other out. We tell each other the truth, we do not placate each other, but rather we humble ourselves for the good of others.
Ephesians 4:11-12: “And He himself appointed some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of service, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
We do not want a “reputation for being alive”, as Jesus said to the church in Sardis
Revelation 3:1-6 NKJV
“And to the [a]angel of the church in Sardis write,
‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before [b]God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 [c]You have a few names [d]even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
The church in Sardis had a reputation for being a vibrant and active church, but Jesus saw through their facade and recognized they were spiritually dead.
We want to be recognized by Him for being truly alive, and this comes through humility and allowing the Spirit and our leaders, and truthful friends to correct us, to help us, to encourage us, to discipline us, to speak to us the truth of His Word so that we may come forth as valuable gold!
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