In a world where our emotions, perceptions, opinions, social media, Google, and even AI shape our reality, understanding what is true can be more complex and more challenging. Today, the concept of truth is subjective. Subjective truth is a truth that is based on our perspective. The problem is that each person’s perspective is different; therefore, subjective truth is inconsistent, meaning it is not true at all. Jack Nicholson delivers the infamous line in the 1992 movie A Few Good Men, “You can’t handle the truth!” The video below recounts the scene. WARNING: There are a few cuss words.

In the movie, a young military lawyer (Tom Cruise) defends two marines accused of murder. Jack Nicholson’s character ordered a “Code Red,” which led to the murder. When Nicholson delivers the line, “You Can’t Handle the Truth,” he is defending his actions based on the truth that while his orders led to the death of one man, they saved many others. In this article, we’ll Learn a lot from The Little Pot about how individual perspectives can alter the essence of what we consider as truth.

As we try to handle personal truths versus Biblical Truth, we unravel the complexities that define our beliefs and convictions. Join us on a thought-provoking journey to explore the boundaries of truth and the profound impact of perspective on our understanding of reality. Whether your truth aligns with Biblical Truth or is based on your reality, this article challenges you to question, reflect, and perhaps discover a Truth in God that transcends individual perceptions.

Handle your identity as your truth.

The Little Pot searches for its identity throughout the book The Little Pot. Its truth is wrapped up in what it believes it can be based on what it holds. For example, it identifies as a rich coin pot when it holds coins. Being filled with papers, it becomes a smart paper pot. Growing flowers means it is a beautiful flower pot. Each of these truths is based on what the vessel holds and the circumstances surrounding it. Does this mean that when the little pot is not holding coins, it is not rich? If it is not growing flowers, is it no longer beautiful? Little Pot’s truth is that it is not smart once the papers are removed.

You see, we do the same thing. We look at our own identity based on what we have in life. We allow our truth to be defined by our positions, roles, and jobs. These things become so real to us as we live them out each day that they become our truth.

If we look to the Bible for our identity, we discover that we are made in the image of God. We are called to be children of God and heirs to His kingdom. This identity is not based on anything we do. It is based on who God is and His love for us. God did not send His son to die for us because we did anything to deserve it. God sent Jesus to die for us because He sees us His sons and daughters that He wnats to save from sin and death.

Feelings and emotions become your truth

I recently listened to a podcast about social-emotional learning. This is a trend in education where educators are tasked with helping students process their emotions. The problem with the curriculum that addresses this topic is that it allows students to define themselves by their emotions. Consequently, a child who enters the classroom sad can remain unhappy. The day may begin with a circle time where children share their feelings. This leads to the teacher announcing to other students that <insert child’s name> is sad today. Therefore, she unintentionally creates the child’s identity for the day through their emotions. That child’s truth is now defined by his or her feelings.

In the book The Small Jar, a tiny cracked vessel sees its truth as being useless. Its truth is based on the wound and feelings of being lonely. The Potter is able to give Small Jar a new purpose with its crack. The Bible tells us that God works all things for good. He created us to have emotions. However, those emotions lead to the fruit that the Holy Spirit can produce in our lives. The emotion of joy can lead to Biblical love. The emotion of sadness can lead to Biblical joy. Feeling angry can lead to self-control. Additionally fear and feeling afraid lead into faith. This blog explains how the nine emotions described in Pixar’s Inside Out Movie is something that God uses to produce a quality found in the fruit of the Spirit.

Social Media becomes your truth.

People spend an average of two and a half hours on social media daily. As we absorb the reels, stories, and posts of others, we accept virtual reality as truth. Artificial intelligence adds to the confusion. Being able to create images and videos that look real confuses us about what truth is. Not knowing if something we see is real or fake makes us question even our subjective reality. We compare ourselves to others and then define truth through comparison.

In The Tea Pot, a teapot cannot pour out and serve because it compares itself to the other vessels in the Potter’s workshop. Consequently, Tea Pot’s truth is that it should keep its tea and not share. Likewise, when we spend too much time on social media we fall into comparing ourselves to others and embrace a truth that is virtual and artificial.

What is the truth we can handle?

All these things lead us to a false truth. In a world where subjective truth has defined our universal truth, where do we turn to find the real truth. We must go to the source. God cannot lie. He is Truth. His Word is the Truth. Therefore, Biblical truth is what we all need to base our beliefs on. God knows that our world is full of falsities. it began when Satan tempted Eve in th Garden. The serpent twisted the truth and created doubt in Eve. Likewise Satan lies, cheats, and steals to cause us to doubt too. We must abide in Christ and seek the Truth that is Him. HIs Word guides us and leads us into a path of righteousness.

Little Pot wants to share more Truth with you each week. You become a fruit pot and learn the truth about the fruit of the Spirit. You’ll discover how our Potter produces it through us. Just add your name and email below.