THE TASTE OF TRUTH

 

There are many symbols that the Spirit  gives  in the Scriptures that describe the Word of God. For example: it is a light, (Ps. 119:105), a fire, (Jer. 23:29a), a hammer, (Jer. 23:29b), a sword, (Heb. 4:12-13), a mirror, (James 1:23), a seed, (1 Pet.1:23), and milk, (1 Pet. 2:2). It is not surprising then, that in a book filled with symbols, we would find in Revelation 10, a scroll sent down from heaven that would be food for God’s messenger. There is the taste of truth.

Consider, THE SUSTENANCE FROM THE TRUTH. John is commanded, “Take and eat it,” (Rev. 10:9).  The man of God who is to speak a message from God must ingest and digest the truth, if he is to be strong enough to proclaim it faithfully, fearlessly, forcefully, and fruitfully.  Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God,” (Matt. 4:4, quoting Deut. 8:3). As literal bread sustains our physical life, we need the manna from heaven of God’s message as the sustenance of our spiritual life.  Are you partaking of this soul food with regularity?

When we do, then there is THE SWEETNESS OF THE TRUTH. John tastes the truth and affirms it is, “sweet as honey,” (Rev. 10:9-10). Bread is nourishing, but when it is lathered with honey, it is mouth-watering! The saints of God find His Word as sweet as honey. This is the taste of truth. It is in the Bible that we encounter our Savior as the Bread of Life, (John 6:48-51). In the Word, we experience our salvation—the sweet forgiveness of sin and new life in Christ. That sweet truth presents the wonderful promises and purposes of God for us, that can enable us to serve and encourage is to stand. We will pursue the study of God’s Word, if it is sweet as honey to us!  

Yet, there is also THE SOURNESS IN THE TRUTH. John was warned, “it will make your stomach bitter,” (Rev. 10:9-10). As truth tastes sweet to the saints, it becomes sour to the sinners. John was given a message of hope for God’s people, and how sweet it was! But, it was also a message of horror for the wicked—so bitter and so sour!  

The reality is that sinners do not like the light of the Word that exposes them. They scurry away as nasty bugs, hiding under a rock, when it is flipped over and light shines on them. The fire of the Word scorches them in reminding them of the eternal flame awaiting them. The hammer of Truth crushes them with conviction and they want nothing of it.  The Sword of the Spirit wounds them. They do not like the mirror of the Word for it reveals the ugliness of their sin. The weeds of the world choke out the seed of the Scriptures before it can bear fruit. Sinners consume the Devil’s delicacies and so have no appetite for the milk of God’s Word.

Yet, the man of God must preach the Word without fear or favor—whether the people want to hear it or not. I must confess there are sweet sermons that I salivate to deliver, but also there are sour sermons that I preach because I must, knowing they will be bitter for people to swallow. As the Apostle Paul, may it be said of us:

“Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.” (Acts‬ ‭20‬:‭26‬-‭30‬‬)