Opinion
Truth: The Bitter pilll
By Dr jalarth Uche Opara
What is truth?
It means a whole lot. But when viewed through the lens of Jesus’ narrative and experience, it makes me cringe, not only to realise what truth is, but to see the endangered species truth has become.
Nobody likes truth when it confronts and witnesses against the falsehood of one’s narrative, always the bitter pill to swallow. Yet everyone craves it when it becomes the light that exposes the falsehood directed against them and exonerates them from the malicious orchestration of dubious minds, then the sweet all desire to lick.
When truth speaks for us, it becomes a friend to be cherished. But when it becomes that penetrative light that exposes the iniquities, the shady dealings and the maleficence of one’s character, it suddenly becomes the lamb that must be slaughtered.
Truth isn’t an apparel for the weak. It isn’t a garland to be worn by just anybody. Truth is an insignia worn by the courageous, the impeccable and the uncompromised.
Only those with thick skin can handle it. Those whose bellies are not their gods. Those with zero tolerance for ingratiation, flattery and prevarication.
Those whose cupboards have been sanitised of bag after bag of stinking skeletons.Truth isn’t cold.It is hot.
Only those with integrity can withstand its burning, its scorching and its sting, the discomfort that comes from holding on to it, no matter whose ox is gored.
Truth does not ask whose side you are on. It asks whether you are prepared to stand where the facts stand.
That is why truth is expensive. When you encounter a man of unwavering truth, go sell all you have and buy him. He is more valuable than a diamond. In a world where people can be bought, influenced, flattered and frightened into silence, a person who cannot be purchased is a rare commodity.
Jesus was truth personified.And what did truth receive?
Not a red carpet. Not applause. Not universal acceptance.
It received rejection, accusation, betrayal, humiliation and ultimately the Cross.
That is the tragedy of truth: it is often punished not because it is false, but because it is true. Truth is always a victim in the hands of those brutalised by its honesty. Nobody with a deep commitment to falsehood will willingly cuddle with truth.
Falsehood needs darkness to survive; truth keeps switching on the light. So truth will suffer suppression. It will attract hatred. It will be misrepresented, mocked and sometimes crucified.
But those who truly understand what truth means will still choose it however uncomfortable it becomes.
Because truth does not become less true because it hurts. The truth that saves is often the same truth that first wounds our pride. It is irrepressible. Its resilience is beyond description. The best way to taste truth of truth is to expose it to attack not to treat it like an egg. Truth is like a raw gold what purifies it is flames and furnace of fire not cold water.
Yesterday I did a piece on Obi Through The Lens of the devil ‘ advocate. I received quite a number of reactions. The truth is , if Peter Obi is real, no skeleton in his cupboard, no amount of devil’ advocate would stain him, rather it would make him stronger and impeccable the more. Those who were angst about, I guess there were afraid of nothing. Truth is never afraid of anything.
Truth is fearless, bold and courageous, nothing hidden against it that would silence it, not even threats of blackmail.
Any institution, individual, family etc that doesn’t have a voice that tells truth to them dispassionately is headed to a wreck soon.
Be like those voices many would crave to hear because in their views and opinions, nothing like falsehood and flattery.
Happy 66th Independent anniversary to all Nigerians who love truth and wouldn’t feel angst when it is served them on the raw plate of brutal frankness.
Jarlath Uche Opara
jarlathuche@gmail.com