What is the Prick of Truth?

​In modern times the truth, especially the truth of God, has been hidden or modified to not offend others.  When this takes place the truth is no longer truth but a lie due to being a modification to the truth (Deuteronomy 4:2).  What happens when the people of God change the truth and do not allow the prick of truth within a person’s heart to lead them to salvation?  Let’s see this broken down by definition.  A prick is defined as a pointed instrument or weapon, to affect with remorse (a sense of guilt), or to be discomforted.  The truth is not only Jesus Christ (John 14:6) but the Word of God (John 1:14; Ephesians 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:15).  With these definitions in mind, the prick of truth is the Word of God doing its job to bring remorse for sins or creating discomfort of the sinful life being lived by that person.  The Word of God is not only a sword (Ephesians 6:17) but it is also sharper than any two-edged sword that pierces the soul and spirit discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).  The Word of God is designed to prick the hearts of people from all walks of life, including Christians.  When the Apostle Peter preached to the crowd curious to see what was happening on the day of Pentecost, the Gospel of Jesus Christ pricked their hearts and they asked how to be born again (Acts 2:37).  Every one of them gave their hearts and lives to Jesus and became believers!  Even when a church can gather a multitude of people it does not mean the truth is being preached to that gathering allowing the prick of truth to change the lives and eternities of the people present (2 Timothy 4:3-4).  Why are some pastors and Christians more concerned about being and making other people comfortable while the Word of God specifically says that is not what the truth will do?  What happens in the absence of truth?  Lies and fables begin to be the discussion with no resistance.  The truth of God must be heard, obeyed, and given at any time or any place.  The truth of God should bring conviction and healing to all those who hear it (2 Corinthians 7:9-10; John 16:8; 2 Timothy 3:16).  Conviction is the act or process of finding a person guilty when admitting truth.  Condemnation is having a sentence pronounced upon a person for being wrong.  There is a difference in these words and the truth behind them.  Religious people will describe conviction as condemnation to excuse the prick of truth.  Conviction should help to not continue in wrong doing while condemnation only pushes a person further into depression without hope.  Conviction should make a criminal feel remorse for the crime committed while condemnation is the sentence that must be carried out.  In the spiritual, conviction should motivate people to seek forgiveness from God to not commit sinful acts against Him while condemnation is used by the devil to separate a person from being made free with the truth of God’s Word (John 8:32).  Knowing Jesus as Savior is the only way to be made free from sin and the sentence of hell for eternity (John 14:6-7; 3:3).  The truth will heal lives if it is obeyed.  Have you felt that prick of truth in your heart and life?  Don’t brush off that conviction but yield to it by having a relationship with God today.  For more information about salvation and our church visit agcsparta.org.