LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
A Man of Truth, Who Can Find Him?
"Many men proclaim their own goodness, but a man of truth, who can find him" (Prov. 20:6).
A "man of truth" is one who has been overtaken by the truth, or one who has been brought down low by the truth. The truth came and laid bare all his lies, his fallacies and his unreality, his disordered self-esteem.
One might suppose that such a man wouldn’t like the truth, since it came to shatter his existence, to disrupt everything. However, he clings to the truth that breaks him (like Jacob in the valley of Jabbok), for he perceives it as the way out of his hidden misfortune. Others do not know that behind his smile there are tears; that behind his outward joy there is hidden deep bitterness.
Now, the truth has displaced the lies. So, this man may well be called a man of truth. He is not a man who glories in himself for his supposed abilities, nor someone who, full of self-righteousness and refined education, despises the less gifted. "Surely every man is altogether vanity" (Ps. 39:5). "There is none righteous, no, not one" (Ps. 14:1-3).
The man who proclaims his goodness seeks only to be praised by men. He is interested in fame —he cannot live without it— and, like a theatre actor, he needs applause as much as he needs to eat or breathe. "I need to invent something, lie if necessary, but I have to look good no matter what." It is not surprising that he ends up exhausted from this constant effort.
The man of truth, on the other hand, is quick to acknowledge his mistakes and repair the damage he has caused; he humbles himself sincerely, even if it puts his reputation at risk. The truth has made him brave; he cannot tolerate falsehood. He has had an encounter with the truth and knows that before God there are no hidden thoughts! He is interested in the approval of his God, even if it means constant conflict with men. The smile of heaven is his only consolation.
In a true man, lies are left behind, just as darkness gives way to a new dawn. The Sun of Righteousness now shines for him. What a relief it is not to have to please anyone! What a relief it is to be authentic, real! That is why the Wise Man says: "Buy the truth and do not sell it!" (Prov. 23:23).
Christ is the Truth. His presence revealed the unreality, deception and falsehood of those who presumed themselves to be true. Christ exposed the man who praised himself in prayer. Christ brought light to the hearts of those who saw the speck in their neighbour's eye without seeing the log in their own. Christ in us is truth incarnate. A glorious exchange took place in us: our lie for His truth. Who, then, is a man of truth? He is a man who has truly found Christ, the Truth.