Recently, we have seen religious leaders who have dared to voice criticism of the government. Yet, at the same time, we have also seen how religious voices can be so closely aligned with those in power that they are more inclined to offer justification than to offer correction. This situation reminds us that speaking the truth in the face of power requires courage. However, there is another form of courage that is no less important: the courage to hear the truth, especially when that truth does not align with our own desires.

Jeremiah 37:1–21 depicts Zedekiah asking Jeremiah to pray and then enquiring, “Is there a word from the LORD?” Jeremiah replied that there was a word, but its content was not what the king wished to hear: Zedekiah would be handed over to the king of Babylon. Jeremiah did not alter his message simply because his listener was a king. He conveyed what he believed to be the word of the Lord, even though the message was unpleasant and even led to his imprisonment.

Dear Friends of the Bible, the issue of hearing the truth is not limited to those at the pinnacle of power. In our daily lives, we too may wield “power” within our own spheres, such as at work, within the family, or in our relationships with others. When we are accustomed to being listened to, we may find it easier to reject voices that correct us. We tend to feel more comfortable accepting information that aligns with what we already believe. Therefore, when a colleague criticises the way we work, a partner points out that our behaviour is actually hurting them, or a friend questions a decision we have made, our first instinct might be to defend ourselves. Yet, there may be something we need to listen to.

That is why hearing the truth requires humility – to pause for a moment before defending ourselves and ask, “Is there something I need to recognise and change about myself?&” For sometimes the hardest part is not finding the truth, but accepting the truth that forces us to change our perspective.