Can You Handle “The Truth”?

Count me in among the many JFK conspiracy theorists. I’ve been to Dealey Plaza several times. I’ve read or listened to many books and programs about the assassination of JFK. I’ve watched the Zapruder film many times. There’s no way someone’s head goes backwards when they’re shot from above. Soon, finally, we will know the truth. President Trump has ordered the Director of National Intelligence and other agencies to present a plan for the full and complete release of all JFK assassination records (WhiteHouse.gov, 2025).

Is it anti-climactic for truth to be revealed some 60 years after the fact? We say we’re interested in truth at all times, but like Col. Nathan R. Jessep in the movie, “A Few Good Men,” it could be that, at times, we really “can’t handle the truth” (AmericanRhetoric.com, 1992).

It seems a number of groups are not able or willing to handle a truth they do not like. Democrats are struggling to accept the truth that Donald Trump is President again and that they have themselves to blame for it (Gambino, 2025). Other groups cannot accept the truth that there are only two genders (Mouriquand, 2025). Many workers who were allowed to work from home are struggling with the truth about returning to work in an office when the boss tells employees they need to come back (Dennison, 2024).

Truth bombs are exploding all the time all around us, and not just in the realm of politics. What about when it comes to our health? Can we accept the truth that we may need to change our exercise routine or our eating habits (Oliveira, 2024)? What about stress? Is it true that there’s really nothing we can do to minimize stress in our lives (Robinson and Smith, 2025)?

When it comes to conducting Performance Reviews, it seems that managers avoid “truth bombs” or being completely transparent with employees because they dislike having hard conversations with their workers in performance appraisals (Chandler, 2016). While managers are told they must speak truth to employees in order to avoid giving inflated performance scores, most managers don’t like to do that (Chandler, 2016). Yet, hearing honest feedback on performance is what helps employees know how to get better, which helps the organization achieve its goals. We should be embracing the truth, even when it’s painful. My friend and best-selling author Ken Blachard put it this way: “Feedback is the breakfast of champions” (Blanchard, 2009). We need to embrace the truth, in order to improve our performance… and to grow as a person, as well.

The truth is that most people really can’t handle the truth. We would have to admit our shortcomings and our weaknesses. We would have to admit our dependence and our insecurities. But it doesn’t need to be this way. There is a truth that frees and uplifts; a truth that can free us from insecurity and fear of the future. This is a truth we need to embrace.

The apostle Peter was someone who was familiar with failure. When Jesus spoke the truth to Peter about his future denial of Christ, the apostle was quick to refute this truth, replying boastfully, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you” (Matthew 26:33-35, NIV). Only a few hours later, the truth of Jesus’ prediction was fulfilled. Yet, the Lord had great plans for Peter, and He offered Peter full restoration and a mission of Kingdom service. (See John 21:15-17.)

This fallen and restored Peter writes to the scattered church with great encouragement in two letters; the second containing a promise for anyone who would embrace the truth of God’s existence and His plan for each life. Speaking about our Risen Savior Jesus, Peter wrote that, “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3, NASB). I particularly like the phrase, “true knowledge” from the NASB. Several other translations use the term, “full knowledge.” According to the Strong Concordance and Lexicon (Strong, 1980), the word used here refers to a deep, thorough, and precise knowledge; or a full understanding or discernment that goes beyond mere factual awareness. What is unique here is that, while searching for this “true knowledge” of Christ, God is the One who grants the seeker this spiritual or moral insight, particularly in the context of knowing Christ and His will (Strong, 1980).

We no longer need to live with our own limited knowledge, controlled by the media or social trends or even our lack of honesty with ourselves. We can now have a full-blown, God-powered existence based on truth. We can have everything we need to live a full and robust life, through the true knowledge of Christ. The truth is that God knows our hearts and our shortcomings (1 Samuel 16:7); and He observes the secrets of our hearts (Psalm 44:21). The truth is that nothing is hidden from His sight; and we will give an account to God for every thought and action (Hebrews 4:13) — and for denying the truth about His Son (Challies, 2025).

When the apostle Paul writes about love to the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 13), he writes about true knowledge or full knowledge — but only at the end of our time. Using himself as an example of this truth, Paul explains, “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12b, ESV).

The unfortunate thing for many of us is, by the time we’re fully known, that true knowledge will not be comfortable. It will be shattering and fearful and horrific, as we are held accountable for every word (Matthew 12:36) and as the judgment for our lives is finally paid in full. For those of us on this side of the cross, we believe this end time will be a time of peace and joy and affirmation, as we have been faithful with little things, to enter the rest of Him who, by His full knowledge, judges the actions of our hands and the thoughts of our hearts (Matthew 25:34).

Soon, a truth for which we have waited 60-plus years will be revealed. But there is another truth that was revealed some 2,000-plus years ago, which is right here, ready to be embraced and cultivated. Choose to be courageous and seek His truth! The reward is a fuller life here; and a forever life when we know Him fully!

Sources:

American Rhetoric: Movie Speech (1992). Colonel Nathan R. Jessup Testifies in Court on “Code Red.” AmericanRhetoric.com. Retrieved from https://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/specialengagements/moviespeechafewgoodmencodered.html.

Blanchard, K. (2009, August 17). Feedback is the Breakfast of Champions. KenBlanchardBooks.com [Web Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.kenblanchardbooks.com/feedback-is-the-breakfast-of-champions/.

Challies, T. (2025, February 2). Why You Should Just Be Honest With God. Challies.com [Web Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.challies.com/articles/we-you-should-just-be-honest-with-god/.

Chandler, M.T. (2016). How Performance Management is Killing Performance – and What To Do About It. Oakland, CA: Berrett-Koehler. Except retrieved from https://bthechange.com/8-reasons-why-the-performance-review-is-universally-hated-f3328cf3c982.

Dennison, K. (2024, July 11). How Return To Office Policies Are Impacting Employees In 2024. Forbes.com: Leadership [Web Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/karadennison/2024/07/10/how-return-to-office-policies-are-impacting-employees-in-2024/.

Strong, J (1980). Epignosis – definition. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance with Greek and Hebrew Dictionary. Retrieved from https://biblehub.com/greek/1922.htm.

Gambino, L. (2025, January 26). In the wilderness: Democrats struggle to navigate the politics of new Trump era. The Guardian: News [Web Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/26/democrats-trump-return.

Mouriquand, D. (2025, January 22). Celebrities react to Donald Trump’s ‘two gender’ policy: ‘We will NOT be silent.’ EuroNews [Web Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/01/22/celebrities-react-to-donald-trumps-two-gender-policy-we-will-not-be-silent.

Oliveira, J. (2024, November 27). Why am I not losing weight? 6 sneaky reasons sabotaging your weight loss goals. Baylor Scott and White: bswhealth.com [Web Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/why-am-i-not-using-weight-6-sneaky-reasons-sabotaging-your-weight-loss-goals.

Robinson, L.; & Smith, M. (2025, January 20). Stress Management: Techniques and Strategies to Deal with Stress. HelpGuide.org [Web Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/stress/stress-management.

WhiteHouse.gov (2025, January 23). Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Orders Declassification of JFK, RFK, and MLK Assassination Files. WhiteHouse.gov. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/01/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-orders-declassification-of-jfk-rfk-and-mlk-assassination-files/.